ARREST OF "WILFRID LAWSON."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8955, 12 August 1892, Page 5

ARREST OF "WILFRID LAWSON."

HE APPEARS IN A NEW CHARACTER. Since the issue of a warrant at) Wellington for the arrest of Wilfrid Lawson (who represented himself as a eon of Sir Wilfrid Lawson) on a charge of issuing a valueless cheque in that city, the Auckland detectives have been on the alert, as lawson came on to Auckland. He arrived in the s.s. Southern Cross on Monday, the 25th ult. That evening be called at the residence of one of our citizens, who became acquainted with him through staying at the same hotel in Wellington. On the following morning Lawson called at Messrs, Baker Brothers on business, and promised to _ return in an hour, but from that period all further trace was lost of him, On that day an entry appears in the registers of two leading city hotels, '* Herbert Wilfred Lawson, of Penrith, Cumberland," but ib is understood no one of that name stayed at either that night, and all trace of him was lost. Chief-Detective Kirby had, however, got a very fair description from those who had met or seen Mr. Lawson, and of his personal characteristics. The other day Detective Kirby was in conversation with a gentleman from Hamilton, who informed him that during the past fortnight an English artist, a Mr. H. T. Gifford, had made his advent into Hamilton, and was forming a class of pupils. He had lately, ib was understood, come from Wellington and Christchurch. It was Tuesday, the 26th ult., when Lawson disappeared from public view in Auckland, and on the Wednesday evening Mr. Gifford seems to have arrived at Hamilton. Taking one consideration with another, and the comparisons of the description of Mr. Gifford and Lawson, Detective Kirby concluded that it was worth while looking up Mr. H. T. Gifford, the English artist. Inspector rob am in J duo course communicated with the Waikato police authorities, and the outcome was that H. T. Gifford alias Wilfrid Lawson was arrested at Cambridge on Wednesday night, on warrant, and was brought down to Hamilton, and came before Mr. J. Knox, J.P., charged by Constable Brennan, with issuing a valueless cheque for between £5 and £6 ab Wellington. Prisoner was remanded to Auckland for three days, and will be brought down by to-day's Waikato train. Gilford was endeavouring to obtain pupils as an artist, and had already received some ten or a dozen at two guineas per quarter. He does not seem to have sought to be paid in advance, for when arrested he had only a penny upon him, and had little or no luggage. Since he has been in Hamilton he has been staying at the Commercial HoteL Gifford had issued the following circular to the leading families in Waikato, which had caused quite a flutter in art circles there :—

Tuition in Painting.—Mr. H. T. Gifford, B.A. (late scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge ; Medallist South Kensington School of Art, and formerly Junior Art Master, Salt Schools, Saltaire, Yorkshire) has the pleasure of informing the residents of Hamilton and neighbourhood that he lias decided to permanently remain in Hamilton to give lessons in painting (oils and water-colours). Pupils may enter up on their course at any time, the term commencing with the first lesson. Mr. Gifford has limited the number of his pupils to 25. Letters may be left with and information re fees obtained from Mr. G. C. Manning, bookseller, etc., Hamilton, who will also supply materials required by students. References as to Mr. Gifford's ability are kindly permitted to Mr. John Gibb, Christchurch, and to David Gillies, Esq., J.P., Dunedin; English references to the Secretary, Royal Academy of Artists, London. References as to Mr. Gilford's character are kindly permitted to Rev. J. J. Lewison, Wellington.

Inspector Broham has since received a telegram to the effect that Gifford has admitted that he Is Lawson. In that case it is doubtful whether he will be brought up in Auckland or whether he will be sent on direct to Wellington on remand, simply passing through Auckland en route.