THE LEADER PICTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 57, 16 June 1910, Page 5

THE LEADER PICTURE.

ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT. MAGISTRATE THREATENED. By Telegraph —Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The charges against Francis' Edwin* Tier and Michael Tier, in co'nnecuon with the theft of the Leader picture from the Art Gallery, were heard to-day. The president of the Academy of Fine Arts (Mr. H. Wardell), in his evidence, produced a number of letters he had received, whtfl'ein the writer offered to restore the picture for pecuniary consideration. The writer of the letter stated that he got particulars of the whereabouts of the picture from a mate, andsuggested how he could be communi-[ cated with. The letters were handed over to the police, who inserted an advertisement i;i the press, and this led to further negotiations. Subsequently the two accused were arrested. 1 Both accused pleaded not guilty. They reserved their defence, and were committed for trial at the Supreme Court. 1 Counsel asked the Magistrate if he could not see his way to reduce the amount of bail. Sub-Inspector Norwood opposed the application, and stated that since the arrests were made, letters containing threats against Mr. Wardell had been sent to that gentleman. The letters also contained threats to destroy public property. I. The Magistrate said he did not see •his way to reduce the bail, each accused in £l5O, with one surety of £l5O in each case, or two-sureties of £75 each. The informations relating to the charges of breaking and entering were withdrawn by the police. ' . I