Stolen civic mural returned

The Parnell art gallery which unknowingly bought a mural stolen from the Auckland Town Hall nine years ago will return it to the Auckland City Council.

The 2.5m mural was painted by Nigel Brown as a panel for a fence around the town hall during a restoration project.

But it was unscrewed from the hoarding one night in October 1996.

This year, Ferner Galleries bought the painting from a demolition contractor who said he had salvaged it and was entitled to own it.

The gallery learned it was stolen when it told the artist the work was being considered for its midyear catalogue show.

Brown, now of Southland, said he was one of a number of artists who painted hoarding panels as a community project and that the painting rightfully belonged to the council.

New large-scale works by Brown fetch about $15,000.

Yesterday, Ferner Galleries chairman Peter Jarvis said he was delighted to return the mural.

The Auckland Art Gallery would check its condition and advise on the best place for public display.

Mayor Dick Hubbard said the story had a happy ending for Auckland City.

"I thank Mr Jarvis for being so community-minded."

Auckland Central Police burglary investigation unit said neither the gallery nor the vendor was at fault. The unit would welcome any information about the theft.