OLD VIOLIN

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1929, Page 8

OLD VIOLIN

FATE SHROUDED IN MYSTERY. WELLINGTON, October 28. A couple of years ago Mr W. H. Spiller, formerly a music warehouseman of Wellington, died in Hobart. Tasmania, leaving his estate to two sons, Messrs F. auyl W. Spiller, of Wellington, and a married . daughter in Christchurch. The estate included several violins reputed to be of considerable value. One at least was deemed locally to be either a Stradivarius' or an Amati, which, if proved to he true, might have meant that its value would-easily run into four figures. This violin was played upon by Zimbalist when in Wellington. Though he could not say definitely whether the instrument was by one of the great violin makers of old Cremona, he pronounced it to be one of the sweetest-toned violins he had ever played. The obvious thing for the beneficiaries was to send the instrument to, England for examination by and steps were taken to that end. The mission was entrusted to the late Mr A. D. Riley, who was leaving for England in connection with his own business affairs. Then trouble began. When asked to declare its value to the Customs authorities at Home, the price of £2OOO was placed upon the violin, which entailed duty amounting t&£63. Whether this was paid is not quite clear, hut the assumption is that the violin was released. Air Riley was then to have submitted the instrument to experts in London. Whether he did so was never made known to the owners*. They were not perturbed, however, as in due course Mr Riley was to return to New Zealand and report, but Fate intervened. Mr Riley died on the voyage out to Wellington and the beneficiaries in the Spiller estate have been left completely in the dark as to what happened in London. As there is no mention of the violin or any transaction in connection with it in deceased’s papers, positively nothing is known of its fate. A curious point in connection with the affair is that as the violin was in the. possession I of Mr Riley at Home and was regarded, • temporarily at all events, as his personal property, the real owners cannot claim it save through the trustees of the deceased.