BACK FROM TEXAS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4409, 1 February 1930, Page 3

BACK FROM TEXAS.

CROUCH RETURNS TO RESUME BUSINESS. WHY TIE LEFT AMERICA. “Yes, T shall resume mv right name now,” briefly remarked Mfc A. B. lOrouoh, formerly known as John Grey, on his return to Auckland. “My family will also take the proper name of Crouch.” “Will you resume your old business associations?” “Yes,” lie replied: “T’ll go back into business again.” Then lie told something of his trip to the United States and Die dismissal of the charges against him. “It lias all turned out to be most satisfactory,” he said, “and just what T expected before T left Auckland. Tn mv possession T have letlors from banks and an attorney saving that they are quite satisfied with things as they arc and wishing me every success when T returned to New Zealand. Tdo appreciate what my friends did for me and bow they stood by me during the trouble. Personally T think that my trial here and mv imprisonment in Mount Eden Gaol were unite unnecessary. I would willingly' have, gone back to Temple straight away. T think also that Sheriff Bigham was a * bit hard on me in Auckland, but. he was all right after the boat sailed and we wore on our way to the States. “T left America because I know that the firm of A. B. Crouch was going bankrupt,” ho said in answer to questions of why he left the United -States in the first place 13 years ago. Bankruptcies were not common in those days and they were considered a disgrace.

WTTY HE LEFT AMERICA. “Why wore you charged with forgery, then?” the reporter asked him. “There wasn’t sufficient grain in band to cover the hills of exchange on the banks,” Mr. Crouch replied. “The charges were really a private and civil claim by the Civil National Bank. Yes. T did go to Christchurch when T first arrived in New Zealand, and later to the West Coast. T took the name of Grey hut used the name of [Cameron when T tried to find work and some suitable place at, which to star.” P.R OTHER’S CASE DTSI\HSSED.

Air. Crouch said that all particulars wh-icli had been published concerning him were quite correct except the fact that his brother had served a sentence of five years’ imprisonment when the firm went bankrupt. This was not true. The case was dismissed. He also admitted the sum published, 250,000 dollars, was the correct amount of the shortage. He would liot state how much he had paid over to the hank, hut said that he had made complete restitution. There were many friends on the

—hnvf to welcome Air. and ATrs. Crouch and several members of their family.