WHEN FATE INTERVENED

Evening Star, Issue 20317, 28 October 1929, Page 11

WHEN FATE INTERVENED

A VALUABLE VIOLIN WHERE IS IT NOW? (Pa» U kited i'bzss A*sck.iatio». 1 WELLINGTON. October 28. Two years ago, Mr \V. H. ripdler, ot Wellington, died ai Hobart, leaving his estate to his two sons, Messrs J?. ana n. ripiller, and a married daughter m Christchurch The estate mclucleu several violins reputed to be ot considerable value. One ol the instruments was deemed locahy to be either a btradivarius or a Amau, which, if true, might have meant tunt their value would have ran into lour ngures. For the purpose oi navmg the instrument examined oy experts u was sent to Engxanu, the mission being entrusted to tho iate Mr A. 1). Kiley, who was leaving for England on his own business affairs. Then the trouble began. When asked to declare its value to the Guscoms authorities at Home, the price was placed at £2,00U, which emailed umy amounting to £63. Whether this was paid is not clear, but it is assumed that the violin was released. Mr Riley was then to have submitted it to London experts, but whether he did so was never made known to the owners. They were not perturbed, however, as in due course Mr Riley would return to New Zealand and report, but fate intervened. Mr Riley died on the voyage out to New Zealand, and the beneficiaries in the Spiller estate have been left completely in the dark as to what happened in England. As there is no mention of a violin, or any transaction in connection with the dec asod’s papers, posdveiy nothing is known ol its fate. t A curious point in 'connection with the affair is Ebat the violin was in the possession of Mr Riley at Home, and was regarded temporarily, at all events, as his property. The real owners cannot claim it save through the trustees of the deceased.