RECOVERY OF THE “LEADER”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7139, 28 May 1910, Page 1

RECOVERY OF THE “LEADER”

AN INTERESTING STORY NEGOTIATIONS BY POST THROUGH “TIMES” OLTTCE. DETECTIVES ON WATCH. Another in tore* ting development in the history of the Leader picture, which has just Uec-n recovered after being twice removed by some unauthorised poison irorn the Wellington Art Gallery, occurred y(stonlay altenu/.m. when the detectives made a second arrest. The man taken into custody yesterday was Miehael Tier, an elder brother of the I’rancis Taiwan! Tier who was arrested in Holton street on Thursday night. Tliis morning .Michael will he charged before the magistrate with breaking, entering and theft at llio Art Gallery bo-

tween March 2<lh and Jdth. the occasion of tins second mysterious disappearance of the picture. The story of how hi* came to fall into the hands of tho police is rather interesting. It -appear* that early yesterday afternoon the detectives were questioning two or three boys who are suppo.-ed to have acted ax message-bearers for tho thief when lie opened negotiations for the return of the canvas. Looking out of the police station windows one of tho lads saw a man Imaging about outside whom lie is *.aid to have identified as haring given him a letter to cany on one occasion. lie pointed him out to the police, who lost no time in securing him on the charge already mentioned.

Tho brother first secured, Francis, will also bo before the court Again. Ibis mo riling on an extended charge. Yesterday h'c wa-s charged with theft of the painting on the occasion of its second di-appearance, but to-day he will ho charged with breaking, entering and theft on both occasions. Francis is about twenty-eight years of ago and -his brother Michael is some ten years older. ASTUTE DETECTIVE METHODS. In yesterday morning's “New Zealand Times*" a brief description was given of the astute methods followed by Detectives Lewi'S ami Andrews in their pursuit of the culprit, and now sorno further interesting particulars ax*o available. There is reason for supposing that for some time after tho theft the thief was endeavouring to get some one to act for him as a go-between, but the negotiations apparently failed and at length—about a month ago—he wrote to Mr H. S. "Warded, president of tho Academy of Fine Arts, concerning tho reward of «.CSO offered for information which would

lead to the conviction of the offender. Mr Warclell was practically asked to act as -a go-between, but instead of replying ho handed the letter over to the detectives in charge of the case. Then tho difficult negotiations began, for tho detectives had to conduct them in suck a manner as to throw the culprit or culprits off the scent and at the same time gradually bring him or them within tho reach of the law. It was first necessary to assure the thief that he might proceed irlth. safetv, and was done, at his own suggestion, by advertisement in the "New Zealand Times." The “Times” office was also appointed as a placo to which correspondence* might he sent and the negotiations went steadily forward. The holder of the picture sent letters to tho trysting place on at least half-a-dozen occasions, choosing a different messenger each time. A DIFFICULT GUSTO ALER, Ho was soon found to be a difficult customer to deal with, and in an endeavour to secure him through his messengers, a probationer detective was introduced. into tho “Times” advertising office as a counter-clerk. But ho did not prove of much use and was soon replaced by a bright youth, who was specially charged with the duty of looking out for messengers bearing letters addressed in a certain manner. However, the person holding the canvas was not to be secured through his messengers, and it became evident that he would have to be “played” with great care, but at last he promised to return the canvas to Hr Warded, in whose name ail the correspondence was carried on, in consideration of payment of a ransom of .=£so. A LENGTHY VIGIL. For ten days and ten nights Air Warden's house was watched continuously by the detective officers, who did not know at what time the canvas would be returned or whether the bearer would be tho actual culprit or a mere go-between. But at last success awarded their efforts, and on Thursday night an elderly man arrived with the canvas rolled up under his arm. lie wished to sec Air Warded, but that gentleman was not at heme, and tho interview was conducted by the detectives, who soon satisfied themselves that the mini, was a messenger and nothing more. So he was given a small parcel purporting to contain the pnomised .£SO and let out of Mr Warded s premises by the back gate. The detectives were now hot on tho scent, and following tho messenger down Bolton street, saw a man evidently waiting for him at Air WardelFs front gate. This man, who was hra?icis Tier was at onco arrested as already described. HELP INVITED. The elucidation of this mystery will be further simplified if certain boys who called at the "Now Zealand Times” office for letters on several evenings about S o'clock wid communicate with ChiefDetective Brobe-rg. He. will be glad to interview them. FRANCIS TIER IN COURT. REHANDED UNTIL WEDNESDAY. Tho identity of the individual, who i*> suspected of having misapproprited the eaiuting from the Wellington Art Galcry, was revealed yesterday in the Magiti-a-ate’s Court before Mr W. G. Riddell, 3.. M. A weU dressed young man named frauds Edwin Tier was the person diarged with having, between Alarch 27th i.ml ffdtli, at Wellington, stolen an oil xiinting by B. W. Leader, entitled ‘Southward from Surrey's Pleasant Lills,” valued at .£SOO, the property of ho New Zealand Academv of Fine Arte. Detective Brobepg asked for a remand intil Wednesday next, the request being om plied with.^ Accused applied for bail. Detective Bio berg said that if boil wore Bowed it should be made most snbtantial. His Worship; What is tho defendant? Detective* Broberg: Defendant is a ibouror. Tho charge at present is one f theft, but it will be altered to one f and entering. His Worship allowed bail in the sum f «£IOO, and two sureties of «£SO each. i