WORKMAN'S GREAT FIND.

Shannon News, 4 June 1926, Page 4

WORKMAN'S GREAT FIND.

PIECES OF STUART PLATE. A great fight for treasure trove discovered in Cheapsidc in 1912 is recalled by the retirement recently of Mn Bernard Kettle, librarian and curator of the London City Museum, after 46 years' service. It was largely ■ owing to his .tact and good sense that an awkward squabble between the Government and tlio City Fathers was averted. The dispute arose out of the diseov-

{ cry, on the site of Wakefield House, V Cheapside, of about 200 pieces of Stuart jewellery, which some workmen eairre upon in a trunk that had been hidden away aim forgotten. Being men of discretion, tlicy said nothing about their discovery,, but proceeded to pawn it and sell it piecemeal. Someone from the London Museum got wind of what had been going on, and most of l tho booty was traced to various public houses and recovered. Then the corporation put in its claim, substantiating it by the characters, one from the Scots King Jamie and one from his son Charles, both of whom at various times had signed away their sovereign rights to treasure trove, in consideration of certain accommodation granted on note of hand by the City Fathers. Mr. Lewis Hareourt was First Coni-

missioner of Works at the time, and lie

stated that he was not convinced of the justice of the City's claim. In consequence there was trouble in the making. Then came the mediators, of whom in. the end Mr. Kettle' was not the least. It was arranged that the treasure should be divided pretty evenly between the' British Museum) the London Museum, and the Museum of the Guildhall. ' • 'sßoi "No treasure trove has been found m the City since those days/' Mr. Kettle states. "At least, if any has been found, the tinders have been rather shy about it."