A VALUABLE PEARL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 4925, 15 January 1902, Page 4

A VALUABLE PEARL.

Mr J. W. Gibson, writing from Broome on Nov. 29 to the ' West Australian Argus,' says :: — * There is a good deal of excitement here in consequence of the finding of a great pearl. Mr James Buddivent has been boatbuilding and pearling on a small scale for the paßt fifteen years at Thursday Island and Broome, and up to the night before last was not considered too fortunate in his undertakings. Mr Buddivent is at present working two small luggers on tha shell banks. He does not go out in the boats himself, but sends a white man with them to open the shells and secure the pearls. On Tuesday night j about 12 o'clock, Mr Buddiyent was j lying asleep on his couch in tbe cool ot the boatshed, when he was roughly disturbed. On rising to his feet his shell-opener put into his hands probably the most superb and wonder- 1 ful pearl the world has ever seen. All the old pearlers admit that such a wondrous work of Nature has never been discovered in a pearlshell. Tbe shell in which it was found has a lovely cradle at the ' heel,' in which this queen of pearls was nursed and developed.. Mr Buddivent, who is comparatively a poor man, has already refused thousands of pounds for his treasure. A more perfect or beautiful lustre has seldom been seen on a pearl. The shape is most graceful, and its length is l£in. In the came shell two nice Bmall gems were found. One of our best-known pearlers has offered his entire pearling plant, with a year's stores, for this pear), but the offer has been wisely declined. The pearl was deposited in tbe bank yesterday afternoon, and its particulars were cabled to London. It is thought that if it reaches London without delay it will take a very prominent place amongst tbe great jewels at the Coronation of King Edward. It is variously estimated to be wdrth from £9,000 to £15.000. The shell in which tbe pearl was found goes to London also.