A NICE YOUNG MAN.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 173, 2 November 1877, Page 6

A NICE YOUNG MAN.

<*»- We have frequently been asked to call attention to the mode of business sometimes adopted by Dnnedin proprietors in up-country townships. What is apparent to the general public in such a township is, that a shop that has probably stood empty for some time is suddenly taken by someone from Dunedin. It is handsomely fitted up and fully furnished with new and elegant goods. The new tenant probably is a nice, " good-hearted" young* man. He advertises liberally, spends his money freely, plays billiards, takes a prominent part at entertainments for charitable purposes, and makes himself generally agreeable. The result is that business flows in upon him, and everything seems prosperous. Of course everyone is anxious that the young man should "get on." Credit is freely allowed him, and the bills aro not hurried in. By-and-by, however, he gets a courteous hint that a payment to account would be acceptable. He appoints a day to pay. The creditor calls on that day. "Is Mr So-and-so in ?" " No, he left yesterday." "Where is he gone toT "Don't know." « When will he return?*' "Don't know— l'm in chargs here." '* Didn't the shop and goods belong to him ?" "Oh dear no ! they belong* to Messrs So-and-so, of Dunedin. Ha 1 ba ! ha ! Have you been sold ? You must clo business in a very loose manner if you gave the young man credit without enquiring into his circumstances." The " nice young man" is off. The Dunedin firm put him there as a dummy; they owned the goods and received the profits, but are not responsible for and decline to pay the working expenses, or the debts of honour of the nice young man. Such things, we believe, have occurred in Balclutha, and it is therefore necessary a warning should be given. We would therefore say to all : Before crediting such young men, examine the register, find out who is the real owner of the goods, and get him to endorse the order. The same thing* has been carried on elsewhere, and the practice is one that cannot be too soon exposed and stamped out.