Modest hero praised for handing in money

A Wellington rugby fan who handed in hundreds of dollars he found during the Lions game on Wednesday night is not only honest - he's modest, too.

The 25-year-old spotted the cash on the ground in a Westpac Stadium aisle but, instead of pocketing it, handed it in to police.

He kept a low profile yesterday, declining requests for an interview.

Police spokeswoman Kaye Calder said he did not feel he had done anything special, though police begged to differ. "It's great to see there's some good old-fashioned honesty around."

Police would only say the amount found was in the hundreds of dollars - "enough to finance a few celebrations". Its owner might have been celebrating anyway, among the thousands nursing post-matchday hangovers.

The cash remained uncollected at the stadium office last night, despite an attempt by one less-than-honest person to claim it.

The honest fan will get some reward, though. Stadium spokesman Steve Thompson said the man would be given VIP treatment at an NPC game soon.

No arrests occurred during or after the game, despite thousands of inner-city revellers. Similar good behaviour was reported after each of the tour's three previous games.

Superintendent Ray Van Beynen said the matches and festivities afterwards had been a "pleasure" for police.

- NZPA