The Students of Truth.

Manawatu Herald, 12 July 1894, Page 3

The Students of Truth.

We have heard very little about the Students of Truth lately but more apparently will soon be known. Last week, in Christchurch a lady is suing the Trust Board of the Society for £12, as six month's interest at 6 per cent per annum, due on eight debentures of different dates.

The solicitor appearing lor the plaintiff said that in March, 1892, the land (la 38p) on which stands the Temple of Truth was bought in the name of eight trustees for £1100, of which £100 was paid in cash and a mortgage wa3 given for the balance, bearing interest at 6 per cent. On the erection of the buildings the property was leased to Arthur Bentley Worthington (Air gust 20fch, 1893) for twenty years at £240 per annum on conditions. In April, 1893, a plot of land, two roods, opposite the Temple, was purchased by Charles Duggan and C. A. Gawen for £100, to hold in trust with power to let or sell or mortgage with the consent of A. B. Worthington daring his life and thereafter at their discretion. For this a mortgage for the purchase money was given to the vendors. On this land was erected a Kinder* garten school and a social hall. The fund for the buildings was raised by gifts of money supposed to be about £700; debentures of £50 each subscribed to the extent of £4080 and a mortgage to H. Marks for £300.

On making application for her last interest the plaintiff was informed by the Trustees that there "were no funds in their hands belonging to the Students of Truth,*' hence the present action to recover.

During the case A. B. Worthington deposed— The Students had their first meeting about the building in June, 1891. He then arranged to rent the contemplated buildings, and finally the lease embodied the terms. With £240 per annum his liability ended. He never undertook to pay interest on the mortgages or to pay for insurance. He had, however, stated that he considered himself morally bound to make up any deficiency, provided that his offertories permitted it. He had paid his rent regularly. He paid it away for interest to the debenture holders, as the trustees had no money. They accepted in lieu of rent, the receipts for these payments until the incorportion took place when the arrangements ceased, and he was directed by the Trustees to pay the rent directly to them. The date of incorporation was November 2nd, 1893, but on January lHth, 189-1, he paid to Mrs Ingram £7 10^, tho amount then due to her. He had done so because she and others re presented thai she was in great need of the money. He also paid others on similar grounds. The Trustees had declined to pay her. For the Temple and grounds hid liability endtd with payment of rent. As to the land on which stood the Social Hall and Kindergarten School he purchased it himself. In the first year he paid £107, and when he began to erect the buildings he paid £360. The kindergarten buildings cost £500 or £600. He erected all

the the buildings. He deCliiied to say where the money came from*. He had not given instructions to register the certificate of incorporation of the Trustees, against the Kindergarten ; if that had been done it was a great mistake. He got £800 on mortgage from Mr Marks. There was oo money of the lady who passed as Mrs Worthington in it.The Social Hall cost from £800 to | £1000. This was all his own money. Marks' mortgage and a mortgage for £1000 to the vendors was part of it ; all outside these sums was his own money. The case was not concluded.