THE STOLEN LEADER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 260, 27 July 1908, Page 2

THE STOLEN LEADER.

,Sir,—it is amazing when .we read the ; : ac r . tion taken by, our.. Mayor re. "the. stolen ■ picture., I understand there. were' twelve l or . more persons had'keys jto* .the Picture Gal-. ; lory. According: to .Press: reports')' some.three, weeks after the theft -Mavpr received a; communication,: and .advertisements, . letters, and meetings.betwceuOnm^ftnd-,'the go.be--ncn 6U 400,5 -place. .After..g:cieks:bf negotiation. ~?0 was paid to the thief, and tho-picturo-jvas as silently and.,mysteriously in,: . , its, gilt v in,; ,as it was taken, away. I ; consider the - authorities • should, no moro.; the - Mayor than any private person: 'ttVadfe.nf, this" way..Phe first communication h'£.received sliould . have been handed over .Detoctive De* partmont,, and every assistance,,given .them, by''him... . I.hopp^the' matter i. will'bo fully opened up, irrespective of position or person,lest at: a future, date' a reoccurrence ;• may take, placo. , It seems to mp ; .a. simple, matter, and many, traces to.follow .up.—l • am, - ' .etc., ' . • ~ - V.'■.*. July 2i, ,7 'cn'As.; Simmonds. . . [The Mayor banded, over ' the' first letter to .the l , police, -and has been in' touch with them during tho-negotiations.]' :/t : -