“FINDING NOT KEEPING”

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3471, 26 May 1934, Page 6

“FINDING NOT KEEPING”

STORY OF A £5 NOTE.

EXAMPLE FOR THE PUBLIC. That the saying, “ finders is keepers ” does not hold in the eyes of the law was exemplified at the Cambridge Court on Thursday when a young married man, of Cambridge was charged with the theft of a £o note which he found on the racecourse on May sth. The circumstances, as outlined by Constable A. Doel, were that Mrs Dorothea Hellaby, of Remueia, was at the races, and when about to make an investment dropped a £5 note, when taking some notes from her purse. Having reported hei loss, and the money not having been handed to the race secretary, the police were notified. After making inquiries they interviewed the defendant. He first denied finding the money, but subsequently admitted the nnd. He made a statement and handed over four single £1 notes and two ten shilling notes. Constable Doel said the defendant did not make any effort to find the owner ana it gave a dishonest impression. The fact that he had changed the £5 note supported that impression. It should be better known that “ finders is not keepers ” in the eyes of the law. , , The defendant said he had changed the note before the “ broadcast of the loss was announced. Wihen he heard the announcement he intended to report the “ find ” to the race secretary but he had to take his wife home. After issuing a general warning that failure to return money found is an offence, the Bench, Capt. R. W. Moorhouse and Mr A. J. Arnold, J.P.’s, convicted accused and ordered him to come up for sentence if called upon \ within a period of six months. The Bench also ordered that the money be restored to the rightful owner.