CROWN JEWELS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 37, 3 February 1908, Page 2

CROWN JEWELS.

THE COMMISSION'S REPORT. THE KEEPER CENSURED. Received 2nd, 4.27 p.m. London, Feuruary 1. The Commission on the lost Crown jewels report that Sir Arthur Vicars, Ulster liing-or-Arms, did not exercise vigilance and proper care in the custody of the jewels, and that the details show, on the part of Sir Arthur Vicars, an ox-, traordinary absence of a feeling of re-, sponsibility for the safety of the jewels. The commission expresses regret at his refusal to attend the enquiry.

The Earl of Pembroke's son-in-law, Mr Wilkinson, has succeeded Sir Arthur Vicars as Ulster King-of-Arms. About 3.30 p.m. on the 6th July, an official connected with the Offl«e of Aims, Dublin Castle, had ocoasion to put som earticle into a safe in which the State jewels belonging to the Order of St. Patrick had been kept, but on trying to unlock the door 'he discovered that it had been prevousl yunlocked, and on testing the lever the oor readily opened. The last time on which this safe is known to have bee nopened was on 11th June last, when the jewels wero inspected and found to b ecorrect, and there appears to be no doubt but tllflfc the door was locked wuun the inspection was over. There was no mark on tho safe to indicate that any violence was used to open it, nor was there any indication to show that access to the building was obtained othe<wise than by regular means.