ALLEGED THEFT OF GEMS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 212, 2 June 1921, Page 3

ALLEGED THEFT OF GEMS

BY WORKING JEWELLER

ACCUSED BROUGHT BACK FROM SYDNEY

Herbert Julius Mailer, who was arrested in Sydney on telegraphic information from Wellington, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Air. F. K. Hunt, S.M., to answer to two charges of theft as follow:—(1) On or about May 5, theft of a number of diamonds, opals, rubies, sapphires, and other goms, and JJ27 in money, of the total value of •£377, the property of Charles B. Kline; (2) on or - about May 5, theft of one lady’s gold hunting case watch, value £5, the property of Simon Phillips. Chief Detective Ward prosecuted, and Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell appeared for the accused.

Charles Bertram Kline, manufacturing wholesale jeweller, said his business premises were at 16 Victoria Street. In November last be had a workshop and rooms at that address, and later accused rented his workshop on a monthly tenancy. Witness had not known accused very long. Witness was in the habit of buying gems and having them made up into articles of jewellery for sale. He arranged with accused to do the manufacturing, and that was one reason why he had rented the workshop.' Witness provided the gems, and from November to April ths accused was handed many gems to bo set. A number of them had not been returned or, accounted for. Witness had not received back 162 diamonds, 17 reconstructed rubies, 26 , reconstructed sapphires, 12 pearls, 3 aquamarines, 6 green tourmalines. 3 opals, 1 amethyst, and 12 sapphires. He valued these at .£267 2s. 3d. Accused was given a white sapphire hoop ring as a pattern to copy, and this was valued at 16s. 6d. He had also 12 Southern Cross brooches (greenstone and gold), valued at L'l 17s. Witness last saw and spoke to accused at Wellington on April 23. Witness left Wellington for the country on April 25, and was quite unaware that the accused intended to leave for Sydney on May 5. Witness returned to Wellington on May 7, and had since had an opportunity of examining the workshop, and could find no trace of the gems or other goods that he had mentioned. To Mr. Treadwell: The accused rented the premises from witness. It was arranged that, witness was to give the accused a certain amount of work, but there was no agreement between them. He believed that the arrangement was that he would give him about .£25 worth of work a week. In March last witness told accused that he would be unable to keep him going entirely, so that ho could obtain work from other sources. At the end of March, his books showed that Mailer was in debit. Some of Mailer’s employees turned up to work on the Monday after Mailer left. He recovered from the workshop and the employees a quantity of gold and sonic jewellery. Ho believed that most of the missing gems had been recovered. To the chief detective: The gold was supplied to Mailer and not sold to him, but for purposes of book-keeping it was entered up ,at a price. On the Day of Departure. Agnes Alary Kline, wife of the last witness, said that on May 3 hey husband was out of Wellington, and on that date accused asked her for some stones to fit in rings. She gave him some pearls, sapphires, and diamonds. ’I he rings were ready to receive the gems. The stock of gems was kept in tho strong room, the key of which was then in her possession. On May 5 the accused telephoned her stating that his wife had arrived at Auckland from Sydney, and being ill had been removed to the hospital. He intimated that he intended taking the midday express for Auckland. She was assured by accused that it was quite unnecessary for her to go to the workshop, as he would leave the keys of tho safe with the chief of his workmen. Witness, however, did go down and sympathised with the man. She suggested that some of the stock held by the accused should be transferred to Kline’s safe, but accused said it was quite unnecessary. Accused further stated that his own private papers were locked in the till. He left almost immediately to catch the train, and she saw no more of him. On May 3 witness gave him a piece of pure gold at his request. On May 4, he asked for some money with which to purchase some pure gold, and witness gave him .£27. The arrangement was that he was to hand the gold to witness the following day, but this was not done. Acting on information that camo to her, she arranged to open the till in which accused had said was his private property, arid they found some em'pty diamond packets. Mailer gave her no 'hint that he was going to Sydney. , Francis N. Stanton, manufacturing jeweller, said he knew the accused, and had worked for him from about the middle of December last. On Alay 5. about 10 a.m., he was told by accused that his wife was seriously ill, and that he had received a telegram from Auckland to that effect. The accused seemed very much upset, and said he would go to Auckland by the midday express, and witness was to 'have charge of the workshop during his absence. Ihe accused said he would telephone Airs. Kl’.ne and make some arrangements with her. Iho accused intimated that he would return by Saturday. May 7. and witness was informed that arrangements had been made. with. Mrs. Kime in respect to wages. Accused 1 handed the shop key to witness .and left about noon. Witness was given a cheque for £1 10s. for petty expenses. On Alay 7 'he opened the safe, and on Airs. Kline's instruction the private drawer in the safe was opened. He found some cheap greenstone brooches and pendants, but neither gold nor gems were there. Pledged with Pawnbrokers. Evidence was given by three pawnbrokers that accused had on various dates pledged gems and jewellery with them. Simon Phillips, manager of the Central Billiard Room, said he knew the accused through his visiting the billiard saloon. Witness knew he was u jeweller, and about: the beginning of last month witness banded him a gold watch to lie repaired. It was a very old keepsake, and for the purpose of the prosecution he valued it. at. £5. " 'JTie watch had not been returned to him. Detectivo-Sorgeant Andrews said that on Alay 18 the accused was before the Central Court in Sydney, charged with tho theft of Kline’s property, and was handed over into the custody of witness to be returned to AVellington. Among tho goods found on accused when arrested in Sydney was a wallet containing .£l3 in New Zealand bank note-. V. ilness. with accused, arrived in ellington on May 23. Accused had an interview with Kline, and afterwards made a statement which was taken down in writing and signed by accused. lle> left Wellington for Sydney by the Manuka, travelling under tho name of Stuart. When asked to plead, Mr. Treadwell said that the accused, under 'his instruction. would plead guilty to the theft of diamonds, but not the other goods. The accused was then committed for trial. Bail was allowed in two sureties of .£5OO each.