"HONEST JOHN."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 229, 27 September 1929, Page 9

"HONEST JOHN."

helensville shocked. NEWS OF GREY'S ARREST. H CAME AS THUNDERBOLT." TESTIMONY OF FELLOW CITIZENS. (By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.) HELENSVILLE, this day. The quiet little riverside township of Helensville was metaphorically shaken to its foundations last Tuesday when Auckland detectives in the company oi a sheriff from faraway Texas arrested Tnlm Grey, one of the most prominent citizens. There was no fuss or show. Three men who might easily have been mistaken for tourists or visitors to simple the mineral qualities ot tne neighbouring hot springs, quietly left t.he° north-bound express, sauntered up the main street, had a look round, anu then walked into Grey's office. The news of the arrest came as a thunderbolt to the residents. Grey has associated himself with many local activities during the twelve years ot his residence .ft the district and has earned the respect of his fellow men by hi* denial disposition, energy and integrity. Scrupulously honest in all his dealings, he is known as Honest John. residents propose to forward a petition to the police authorities in Auckland testifying to his upright character while in their midst. They are astounded at the shadow cast over him. He was connected with many municipal activities and worked as the head of a prosperous land agency business. "Such a Decent Citizen." "If John Grey ran for Mayor tomorrow we would put him in as he lias been such a decent citizen said Mr. -J. Stewart, a local merchant. \ou won't find anyone who has a word Z against him. He was a very active citizen, liberal with his monev, and industrious. He supported everything socially and was a regular attendant at the Presbyterian Church. As a citizen we could not find fault with him. He came to the district hard up and a number of settlers, in order to give him a start, ploughed his farm at le lua. Ou every hand the testimony is the same. Mr. J. Mackie, ex-chairman of the Helensville Town Board, and a member of the Waitemata Power Board, said- "I have known Grey for eleven years, and his dealings have always been straightforward. He lias been ibera and has done everything for the benefit of the people of the district. I can say that confidently. He was looked upon as one of our best citizens. He was m low water financially when he came here, but he started in the land agency business in the boom period and prospered. He was local agent for the Public lius Office, supported the church solidly, and the Helensville A. and P. Association both financially and otherwise. He was a past president of tlie Auckland and P. Association and is still a member of the executive. He. was on tlie local school, committee at one time, aud had been president of tlie tennis club and a member of the golf club. His. arrest came as a thunderbolt, as he was looked upon as an honourable man. I know we have lost one of our. best citizens/

Mr. C. G. Sandin, J.P., a Helensville chemist, said the town had been better for the residence in the district of Jolin Grey. , . . A man'who has had extensive imancial dealings with Grey said the direst had been a shock to the town. _ Since Grey arrived in 1917 he had lived a decent, upright life. His word had been his bond and he was highly esteemed. He worked strenuously for the advance of the town. Grey spoke with a distinct American accent, but at no time endeavoured to disguise his nationality. Some wondered why a man who was prepared to live and make his home in New Zealand did not become a British subject, but all recognised him as a good citizen. "Forbear to Condemn Him." The general impressions in Helensville are summed up aptly in the following paragraph, which appeared in the "Kaipara Echo":—"A social calamity las interrupted our usually quiet town. A man whom we have honoured with many social positions stands accused of forgery in another country. He will be tried "by proper courts of justics. We only know John Grey who has dona good for this district. Until, therefore, wc know whether this man is or is not guilty, can we not forbear to condemn him until his defence is heard? British justice' allows the benefit of the doubt to favour the prisoner. Can we not give John Grey fair play, if not for his own sake then for others—his family?"