FINDING AND STEALING.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3461, 15 April 1920, Page 4

FINDING AND STEALING.

There is a depressing misconception prevalent with respect to the right of ownership in‘ articles found on public streets and in other public places. Quite recently a large number of lost articles of jewellery, ‘money and useful things have been advertised for in the public newspaper, but in only rare instances have such articles lbeen found by 110118513 people. People who find such lost articles do no-t seem to realise that they can he proceeded against, fined or. imprisoned for theft if they refrain from taking ordinary means to discover the rightful owner, or if they do not pay any attention to advertisements asking for them Within the last two months eleven advertisements for lost goods have appeared without receiving any reply. The other day a rose was picked up, nearly opposite this office, with a gold pin thrust through, the finder deliberately took the pin and threw down the rose, while by asking the first person who passed the owner might have got back her lost pin‘. A few weeks ago ,a lost bangle was persistently adver‘tised for but met with no response, yet two dark-skinned young ladies were seen to pick up the bangle, look round, then clear off with it. Although the names -of people who find things may not be known they are known when seen again, and if nothing further happens they are branded as thieves. The bangle mentioned had a special value to the loser of it that it could never have to the finders, and the least the two native lassies could do in thgse circurnstan; “ces would be to either send the bangle to this office or to the police station. Failing to do this they need not be surprised if the police do not wait upon them. It is ‘hoped a higher sense of honour and honesty will prevail in this neighbourhood thanhas lately been apparent. ,