ADVENTURES OF A PICTURE

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 844, 16 June 1910, Page 6

ADVENTURES OF A PICTURE

HOW THE " LEADER " WAS LOST F©UND TIER BROTHERS CHARGED. A SERIES OF LETTERS.

The detailed circumstances attaching to the alleged thefts of the "Leader" picture from the Arc Gallery on April 11, { 1908, nud again in March last, were unfolded in the S.M. Court yesterday, vrhen Francis Edwin Tier was formally charged : with having, on or about April 11, 1908, broken and entered tho New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts and stolen therefrom an oil painting, entitled "Southward From Surrey's Pleasant Hills," .valued at .£SOO. Francis Edwin Tier and Michael Tier were jointly charged with ■breaking and entering the Art Gallery : ..between March ( 27 and March 30, and ' 'stealing the same picture. : Sub-Inspector Norwood conducted the ' case for the prosecution, and Mr. W. J. C. Wilson appeared for ■ the defence. Formal cvidehco as to having found the . Art Gallery broken into • between ! March 27 and March 30, and as to findiing that the picture was'missing, was I given by Harry Cowlcs Williams, caretaker of the gallery. An entrance had been effected through a window which had a broken pane. By putting a hand ' through the hole it was, a simple matter ■; to turn the catch. THE CORRESPONDENCE. AN. OFFER WITH CONDITIONS. I Herbert Samuel Wardell, President of ihe'New.Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, stated that the. picture (produced) was ralued at £M. Between March 27 and March 30 the picture was stolen from tho Art Gallery. On April 10 witness received an unsigned letter, which read: , <'Mr. Wardell,—l seen by the papers last week that there is a reward of Mo' offered for' information that would lead to the lost picture being found. If this is ■■ true I am able at present to sell the; information to you. ' It was only by chance that I have discovered where it his planted. Of couise, the party what as . got it.might shift it, but if it stops were it is I am willing to sell you the infpr- ; niation, but I won't have nothing to do with the police at no price. I know them of old. They would say I must , know something about it or else I took it, and very ■ likely get no . money but : jail instead, and sooner than run any risk I would loose a 100 fifties. No, I had no hand in. taking it or anything to do with it. Well, you can have the information on these conditions: (1\ You put the £50 in the hands of the man that held it before, to be paid over to me. When you tejl him that you have got tho picture, all he will have to do his to old tho money. I will tell you where tho picture his, and you can go and get it. You will think that because I know the name of the man what held, the money last time that I had something to do with it. Not me, but I got the strength from my mate what did havo a hand in it, but outside themselves I am the only one what knows where he his now., AVon't do it any ■ good if ;it his kept there to long. If these conditions won't suit you, I won't agree to no others, so there will bo an end to Jit. You can say. anything to me that you want to in the lost and found' part of the 'Evening Post, , l>ut don't put it to plain or tho other party might 'smell a rat,' though has they are on the bust now they won't be looldng for anything like this. If they was to hear anything,. I would be the first'one ..they would suspect, and then my hide would not be woTth sixpence. I don't think they havo rote to you yet. If they have, keep this quiet. I willsee anything you put in the" 'Evening Post , meant for me, but I am not going to call for. any letters. ; This is meant for yourself. My mate told me last time they promised they, would keep your name and tho Mayer's name and tho gent's name what held tho money secret, and that tho gent, that held tho money would havo nothing 'to do/with it unless his. name was never mentioned, so you will have to promise him tho same thing this; time. In any case if the polico know who held Iho stake it would be no good to , me has I would bo nabbed as soon has I went for it. Of course, you can show this to the 'jacks' has well if you . like,. only it his meant for yourself. You can address me has 'Bert' in the 'Evening Post' when you havo anything to say."

To Mr. Wilson: The post-mark was a Wellington post-mark dated April 16, 3 a.m. Witness, handed the letter over to the police. On the Monday witness inserted an advertisement in the paper: "Bert • — •would prefer information as to principal." o Raising the Reward. On April 23 witness received the following letter, signed A. G. It., supposed to have come from the principal:—"Petone—Mr. Wardell,—l have been waiting to see if you were, going to raise the reward offered for the. picture to .CIOO, but has you have not I must raise it myself. You made all arrangements on the last, occasion so you know what.to do. Place tho sum 'of' ,£IOO in the hands of the same gentleman that held the reward' last time before Thursday nest and notify me in the IV.Z. Times' 'lost' column and you. must keep it confidential. You will get no more letters from me. .1 will be leaving the country and we -cannot take it with us so if my instructions aro not carried out I 'will, between Thursday night and Saturday morning send you a portion of the picture cut up in small pieces and your treasurer, C. Wilson, will havo (ho satisfaction of knowing we destroyed it instead of getting the ransom. Don't try and reduce our price for you will only be waisting your time and I will take no notice of any other advertisement." Witness said that immediately after the picture disappeared an advertisement was inserted iu the paper asking for information that would lead to tho recovery of the picture, but no ransom was offered. A Threat to Destroy. On April 30 witness received the following letter, signed "Bert":—''Mr. Wardcll,—l rote to you offering information that would lead to the recovery of tho missing picture for tho sum of. X 59. You replied you would sooner deal with the principle. Well, they offered it to you for J-100. You never applied so they were going to destroy it to-night, but I pointed out that half a loaf would bo better than none and they have consented' to leave it in my hands on condition that I arrange 'things by Monday night. When it was taken you were the only market they had in view and if you decline to deal with us then the picture is not worth a penny to us and is just as well destroyed, as every minute it is in our possession it is only a menace, so if you want it reply in Monday night's Tost' 'lost and found' columns. If there is no reply by then we will take it that you don't want it and take tho earliest opportunity of sending it back to you in stripps. (Signed) Bert." Sick and Tired of Negotiating. On Hay G witness received another letter, as under:— "President Art Gallery.—Pay over to the gentleman who we want to hold tho money tho £'i 0 at once, and nolifv me in Saturday evening's 'Post,' and no later that this has t>cen done, niid remember no mutter what jour opinion of us might be that he is a gentleman anil so keep his name as such and confidential for. remember ho alone stands between.tb«

picture and destruction.. If he declines to act now, you or those advising you will only have themselves to blame, 'i'he only instructions that you need give 'lini are that as soon as you inform him or when bo in iiwsm tho piclmo has been recovered to pay the reward. For my part 1 am just about sick and tired of the whole affair. Signed (Bert)." On May 9 a further letter was received, in which "Bert" urged that influence should be brought to bear to get the same person to hold the stake as did so the previous time, as no one' else would bo agreed to. Failing the same man agreeing, it would "end the mattei for good and all." If he refused, the picture would be destroyed, but if ho agreed information would- be given as to how to get the picture, which w as still in good condition A Last Opportunity. On May 1G the''following letter came to hand:— "Sir. Wardell,—Sir,—l am sorry to see gent, absolutely refuses to act. Well, I will give you another opportunity of getting it before destruction, that is, providing you will give your word of honour there is no police ov detectives connected in it. If thero is going to be any underhand work in it, that will be tho finish of it as regards nie, and you will get it back as soon as possible, as I stated before in stripps. 1 want to give yon to understand this is the last and only last effort I am going to make as regards you getting it back in good order, so if it is 'not worth tho reward you offer it is not worth anything. . . . Would you meet a man at a certain place aud lie will take you to the place where it is. You will have nothing to {ear if you • are th« trustworthy man I take you to be. I don't want you to ask any questions bar asking for the parcel and pay tho .£")0 over to him. If you are willing to accept my offer and agree to my arrangement drop a line to-movrow night (Monday) to the "Times' offi-e to B. Wilson. (Signed) Bert." ' The Police Take a Hami. . ■On May 18 witness saw und initialled the following letter:— ! "llr. 8.. Wilson,—Mr. Wardeli cannot give' the promise desired. The reward was offered for information that would ■lead to the conviction of the offender and Jiot for the restoration of the picture." . This letter was not sent, the following being substituted by Detectives Lewis and Andrews.:— \ "I am sorry the gentleman referred to refused to act in the matter, as it was such a simple way out of the matter, aud I was fully prepared to deposit the money with him. 1, am not quite clear as to the terms of 'your arrangements. If 1 am to meet you at any particular place, then I take it that it will bo necessary for me to have £50 on me at the time. Now, I am an old man, and unable to'go out at night and meet you in any dark place, and besides, if the principal and others of your party obtained knowledge'of the fact that I'was in possession of the money, what guarantee would I have that I would have nothing to fear. For anything I know, I may be robbed of the money before I get to the appointed place. You can understand my position, and although I will act confidentially, I must safeguard myself. I am prepared to meet yon, but I must impose a condition that nobody must know that I am paying the ,£SO, as tho rest of the committee refuse to pay any part of it, and I don't want evoii them to know by what means the picture has been restored, so that I am trusting you to keep the matter perfectly secret. You are evidently prepared to trust .me, and I am prepared to act if you will write and make terms suitable to me. (Signed) W.H.W."

Guarantee Against a Trap. .On May IS, Mr. Wardell received a letter ■ asking for a guarantee that ho would not set a trap for the persons bavins; the■, picture. It continued: "The principals say that if there is any funny business, that:you will pay the penalty and hot them, us tho man that delivers it will know nothing more than savo delivering and collecting. . If you aro willing to promise mo this . . . and have the money ready by Thursday next I will promise you to get it safely. (Signed) B. Wilson." Detectives Lewis and Andrews framed the : following reply :— "Received yours, and whilst having doubt as to whether you will act as straightly as you say, I am prepared to comply with your conditions. All you have to do is to deliver it to me and receive the money, which' I now have. You. can completo the transaction at your convenience. I will be busy tomorrow (l'riday), but except for that you can suit yourself as to time. I wish you to distinctly understand that there must be no underhand work on the part of yourself or the principals, as I wish to restore the picture to the Academy .unknown to anyone. I will keep my word. The rest is with you. (Signed) Another Suggestion—Nitric Acid. On May 23 witness received the following letter, and handed it to the police unopened:— / "Dear sir,—ln reply to yours of Thursjjay, 1 am directed to inform you by. my principals that they are not satisfied with" your promises signed only with initials. They wish me to place before you a suggestion. That you, H. S. Wardell, promise, 'on your word of honour as a gentleman, that you have not informed the police or anybody in connection with tho detective force, nor do you intend to inform anybody belonging to the police or detectivo force, or nny other person or persons to communicate to the police or detective force in regard to tho day the 'Leader' picture has been, or is about to be, restored to you. I also promiso to pay to the bearer of the picture the sum of £50 in single notes or gold in exchange for the same. And no questions asked. Signed , with full name. They contend (and rifchtly so) that if you are straightforward and honourable in your promises and intentions, there ought to bo no difficulty in your agreeing to their terms. On these conditions only will the Leader be restored. . . . You must understand that these men will stop at nothing to get 'even' if they are balked or beaten by unfair tactics on your part. Of course they understand it is not possible for the Leader or any other picture in the gallery to corao into their possession the same way as it did on this occasion. But they talk about a strong solution of nitric acid, and with the aid of this compound and a syringe they could do more damage in live minutes than the value of twenty Leaders. Hoping you will take this fis a warning, I will expect a reply not later than Monday night to B. WilThe detectives concocte<l tho following reply:— "You seam to doubt my hourly in Mils mutter, and from that I can only infer that 1 am not known to you. If 1 wore, vou need not doubt Hie promise I have already given you, thai strictest secrecy will bo observed- on my part concerning tiro whole of this tra.nsact.ion. I assure you that I liavc 'not informed the' police or detectives, or any other porsoji, of the α-rrangcinonts made for the restoration of the picture, and I will inform no one. I promise to pay to the bearer £'M in gold when the picture is handed over to me, and not to ask any questions. I am not used to my word beinc doubted.,

and if mot prepared to trust me now that I have complied with all your conditions you may consider it better to nominate aimebody else to act. . . .—(Signed) H.S.W." "What's the Game?" Additional correspondence passed,- awl on May 27 a further letter was received ■as under:— "I sent a man up with parcel _ last night, but ho never returned with either parcel. I would like to know what's the game? If. you think you are going to set a trap for me you are mistaken, so mil you write another letter aud let mo know if you have received it or not— (Signed) "B. Wilson." . No answer 'was.seat to this cornmunicavtan. , "Absolutely Crook." The following unsigned letter was received on May 31, after tho arrest:— "After tho principals had given tho messenger n quarter of ail hour's grace (ihey convinced themselves the.ro was something wrong and left it at that, but they sec now by tlic papers that it was absolutely orook, and that tho very clever D's captured a mug or two. i like the clever D's. They also had a lady friend about the locality over au. hour after, and saw a little incident thai was rather amusing, but of course I couldn't convince tho principals what I -had .seen at the time I wrote to you last, Therefore they would insist on me writing, but they were thoroughly convinced now wlnvt I seen was right, and ouly it's more than I dare do I would give evidence as to how they captured tho mug, and not the way the papers say. They say nothing about tho lady friend Uiey were with. And now good luck to you if you lit him, but I can assure you. this, unless Mr. Rhodes takes it home, you will loose it again, ond iiv a very short time, unless you watch it closely, as the principals swear they will have revenge for what you tried to do to them, so that a warning to you." DETECTIVES GIVE EVIDENCE. F. E. TIER CHAEC4ED WITH THE THEFT. Detective Lewis stated that on March 30 he made an examination of the Academy of Fine Arts, and saw a large picture fraino lying on the floor. On April 18 witness received the first letter from Mr. Wardell. Ou April 19, as a result of a conference, an advertisement was put in the "Evening Post," and replies were received, as produced by the previous witness. Witness went on to produce letters and advertisements which passed between tho parties in the negotiations. Witness also gave details of the letters (previously produced) and advertisements inserted in the papers which led up. to May 2G, when'witness and De : tective Andrews went to ifr. Wardell's house in Botanical Gardens lioad. At about 8 p.m. a person. Edwin Burr, called at the house carrying two parcels, one of which was the picture. There was a letter attached to one of the parcels, the smaller one. Witness examined tho parcels, and- found that tho small one, a box, contained a piece of newspaper. Tho letter was addressed to Mr. Wardell, and read: "Please exchange parcels with bearer.—Bert." Tho writing on the letter was, in" witness's opinion, the samo as that in three of the letters already put in signed "Bert." Witness and Andrews questioned and searched Burr, and took possession of tho picture and the box. In consequenco of what Burr said, witness gave him a box containing some pieces of coal and newspaper, wrapped in brown paper. They they' showed him out the back wav, aud followed about ten or twelve yards behind him. As they wero approaching Wardell's front gate they saw a man standing near it in the deep shadow of some trees. On coining up to the man Burr walked up on to the footpath, and looked at the man, and as Burr turned to walk away; the man standing by the gato follower! him. The man's position had commanded full view of Mr. Wardell's front door. , Tho man was threo or four yards behind Burr, aud witness and Detectivo Andrews were another three or four yards further back. At the corner leading into Bolton Street the footpath ''terminated, 'and they wero all on mo road. This brought the man alongside witness. At the corner of Wesley Koad aud Bolton Street Burr, still holding the parcel, hesitated a few seconds, and the' man, who had gone a little ahead of witness, walked right up to Burr.' The latter then walked on again, and the man followed. About sixty yards down from , Wesley Koad tho man caught up to Burr and walked alongside him for a few steps. Witness and Andrews closed \\\> immediately, and tho man then went a little ahead of Burr. Witness said to Burr: "Havo you seen the man x who gave you tho parcels?" Burr nodded, and pointed to tho man just in front of him. They then accosted the man, who said: "Good night, Andrews, good night, Lewis." They srv'd thoy wanted him to come to tho stat:c;i, to which he replied: "You'vo got one of the family-you don't want the lot, do you?" They subsequently asked accused to account for being in possession of tho picture, and the box taken from Burr. He said he had never seen them, nnd never handled them. The man was Francis Edwin Tier, and he was then charged with the- theft. In reply, accused said: "What are. you trying to get'on to me?"

The Arrest of Michael Tier. At 2.15 on May 27 accused, Michael Tier, came to the Detective Office to see about getting bail for Francis Edwin Tier. At the tinio the caller arrived, witness and Detective Andrews were taking a statement,from a couple of boys. When Michael Tier spoko at the door, the boys looked up, and in consequence of what they said Michael Tier, his brother, and three or four other men were placed together in a room. Witness and Andrews took the three boys separately, and asked them to point out the man who had sent them for a certain letter, if he was there. One boy, Bailey, pointed out Michael Tier, and said "that's the man." A second boy, Baldwin, followed, and (lid tho same thing. Rhodes also pointed out Michael Tier. Accused said to the boy, "Are you S'ire?" and the boy then said, "yes, either this one or that one," pointing, io Michael Tier and his brother. Michael Tier was then arrested. On May 27 accused, Francis Tier, was placed among several other men, and the boys Bailey and Rhodes were told to look along' the line to see if the man who had intercepted them when coming from the "'Sew Zealand Times" with a letter was there. Bailey picked out a man who was not the accused.. Detective Andrews asked Rhodes' what ho thought, and he (Rhodes) picked out Francis Tier. Later, Bailey had another look ht Francis Tier and said he was the man.

Statement by Detective Lewis. Detective Andrews gave- evidence that he had written the letters to "B. Wilson," already produced. On May 2G lie went with Detective Lewis to Mr. Wardoll's house. Ho corroborated the evidonco given by the previous witness. Jfr. WardeH was not nt home on the night the nicture was returned to his house. A ladv" walked down the road with witness anit Lewis when they were following Burr and Francis Tier. OTHER EVIDENCE. THE LETTER-CAKRIERS. Evidence was given by Win. G. Caldwell, night clerk at the "New Zeruaml Times" 'Office, as to the visil-s paid to tiie office by boys with and for lotters for "B. Wilson." The Final Scene. Edwin Burr, cook, stated tot cm the evening of May 2G, ho was standing on Hie corner between Baimatyne and Co.'s warehouse and the Post Ollice, at about 7.10 p.m., when ho met a man who wenit with witness up to r ''« Terrace. On arrival at tlie Terrace, he met Francis Tier, near the Consrogntionr.l Church. Tiio'man who had come from the Post Office said witness would assist tlio ?<>coikl man wil.li the tlniiss down to the boat. Francis Tier hail a bos ami a Ion" round parcel hi his possession, and lie. said: "X want you to take these two parcels up to my uncle, and bring Hie small olio back." lie said U was a model, and lhat'ho had had some trouble with Ids uncle, and the letter would explain even-thing. Witness went with tlio man «'ho had engaged him first into Eolton Street where tlio man said ho would meet'witness at the top of tlio hill. Witness had not gone far before- Frauds Tier was alongside him, sarins: "Come iilon", I'll show you the house." Witness went" to a koua: in AVelltaloy Eoad, aad

tho man said take the parcels to Wardell's, and bring tho small parcel back. Witness went into the house pointed out to him, but it was the wrong place, and ho came out and met thw man who had engaged him in the- first instance The man asked a woman some directions, and eventually ho pointed out another place as the house. Witness thought tliero was something wrong, and he told tho man to wait for him. A lady asked witness into the house when he asked for Mr. Wardell, and whilst he was warring Detectives Andrews and Lewis caine into tho room. Witness gave Lewis the box, thinking ho was Mr. Wardell. Tho detectives took charge of the tvto, parcels. Detective Lewis subsequently gave witness back tho small parcel. Witness left the house in frost of the detectives, carrying the parcel in his hand. A little way from Mr. Wardell's house, witness met a man leaning over a fence, close to Mr. Wai-dell's frok gate. Tire man did not sneak, and witness walked on. A man came up to witness and nvumiiiTed: "Hurry up" or "Come along," and l:iie detectives thereupon caught ■hold of 4he man, who was Francis Tier. Wheu the detectives took hold of , tho man witness was just going.to give him the parcel. Witness could not identify tie man who had first engaged him. This concluded the evidence for Che prosecution. Committed forS'Trial. Both accused pleaded not guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Mr. Wilson asked that the bail should be reduced. Sub-Inspector Norwood suggested that the Court, in considering this application, should take into account the fact thart since the arrest lotters had been se-n; to Sir. WardelJ threatening to destroy public property in the city. Bail was allowed in tne sum of -El5O and one surety of ,£l5O. The other information against Francis Tier was withdrawn. HUTT AND PETONE 'NEWS. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) « . i Last evening tho annual installation ceremony of the Ulster Lodge, Petone, took place. There was a large attendance, despite the rough weather; HIBERNIAN SOCIAL. Although tho weather interfered with the attendance at the Hibernian social in tho Lower Hutt Town Hall last night, a most enjoyable evening was spent.* There were about -10 couples present. During the evening vocal items were given by several local ladies and gentlemen. Tho music was supplied by Mr. M'Menamiu's Orchestra, and the masters of ceremony wore Messrs. O'Brien and Bates. ' HERETAUNGA SOCIAL. The Petone Drill Hall was crowded last night, when the Heretauuga Boating Club held their annual =ocial. The nautical decorations of the hall and the uniforms of the officials of the club were, a feature of the proceedings. Just prior to supper, Mr. T. 11. Wilford, M.P., presented the various handsome trophies won during last season. Musical items were rendered by the Misses Glading and M'Ewen, and Slessrs. T. M. Wilford/ Gray, and Coulsen. Tho duties of masters of ceremonies were ably enrried out by Messrs. Griffiths, Burn, Colquhoun, and Hartley. Great credit is due to the secretary, Mr. M'Donald, and an energetic committee, wno spared no pains to make the annual gathering the success it undoubtedly was. I