A STOLEN PICTURE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6494, 14 April 1908, Page 5

A STOLEN PICTURE

BURGLARY AT FINE ART ACADEMY. VALUABLE PAINTING TAKEN. There was a somewhat sensational discovery made by Air Walter Leslie on Sunday afternoon, on opening the Academy of Fine Arts for the public. As one of the members of the academy who have volunteered for duty on Sundays, it was his turn to be in attendance He was present at the academy about 1.30 p.m., and soon found that burglars had been at work. The most notable picture in the gallery, “Surrey Hills,” by W. B. Leader, 8.A., was missing from its -accustomed place on the wall. A visit to an ante-room resulted in traces of the burglars’ work being found. The picture, a massive one, had been taken from the wall, carried to the ante-room, and there loosened from its frame, the wood-work being left lying in the room. The canvas had bodily disappeared. On the door were found lying a “jemmy” and a dark lantern. The window of the ante-room was open. It is surmised that the burglars—it seemed too big a job for, one —gained entrance from the rear of the academy by climbing on to a shed and thence through the window. To prevent any unexpected entry through the main door, the burglars plugged up the keyhole with a small piece of wood. Information was immediately given to the police, who have now the matter in hand. The fact that the burglars left their tools behind them wonld seem to indicate that they either found the large canvas as much as they could conveniently carry away, cm that they were obliged, for fear of detection, to beat a hasty retreat. The picture, which attracted much attention at the Christchurch International Exhibition, represented a very fine Surrey landscape, and was said to be one of Leader’s best efforts. It was catalogued at 600 guineas at the Exhibition and purchased by Sirs W. B. Rhodes, of Wellington, who made a gift of it to tho City of Wellington. It was hung in the” Academy of Fine Arts; pending a more suitable place being found for its display. The theory is that the theft was the work of more than average burglars—polished persons who know tho value of the work, and not burglars of the ordinary type who invariably concern themselves with bullion or plate or jewellery. They must, too, have bad a more than casual acquaintance with the Academy precincts, and have known exactly where to find this Leader painting. In close proximity were several pictures ranging in value from 100 to 200 guineas, by prominent English artists. These evidently had no attraction for the intruder. This robbery is of a class entirely new to Wellington. It smacks of Continental and Old Country methods, and it will be interesting to watch future developments. The picture cannot ho negotiated in New Zealand with any degree of safety, whilst its shipment out of the country should not ho a work of ease without the senders laying themselves open to police scrutiny.