A PICTURE RE-STOLEN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 352, 1 April 1910, Page 2

A PICTURE RE-STOLEN.

FROM THE WELLINGTON ART GALLERY. .J By Telegraph.—Press Association.. Wellington, Last Xsj/ht. The picture by Leader, "Southward from Surrey Hills," which was stolen from the Art Gallery in 1908, Iras vanished again. When the caretaker unlocked the doors at 1 o'clock ifnis afternoon, lie saw the frame hangino- i n its customary place on the south wall, but the '-Leader" had left. The -canvas was in its place last Sunday-, when the Gallery was open to ihe -public. On Sunday evening the doors were locked, and remained fast till 1 p.m. to-day. On the previous occasion, the thief entered at the back, rolled up the picture, raid crept quietly away. This time the side window, facing the north, on the west side of the porch, had been broken just below the catch at a point to conveniently allow a hand to pass through ami push back the fastening, j! The dust coating at the top and lower panes shows marks recently made. The}' , very strongly suggest the trail of fingeTs, and look as if they had' been put on from the inside on the return jourD ney of fhe robber. ■ The disappearance of the picture was at once reported to the police. When it was stolen before the thief, or someone representing him, offered to restore it for £IOO. and, after unsuccessful attempts had been made to trap him, £SO i- was paid and "no questions asked." J Threats were made that the painting, a, which is valued at £IOOO, would be dee stroyed, and the then Mayor considered e it best to accept the robber's terms. Opinions varied at the time as to the propriety of Yielding, and the opinion was expressed that the ransom of the picture would encourage a trade in this t linp of business.