A Clerical Scandal.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 3, Issue 56, 30 January 1883, Page 2

A Clerical Scandal.

A MANAWATU CLERGYMAN AND HIS CREDITORS.

EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS. [Post.] At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday afternoon, before G. B. Davy, R.M., and Mr Ed. Baker, J.P., the Rev. Edward C. Wilson, until recently in charge of the Anglican Church at Palmerston North, was called upon by George Woodroofe (under an immediate summons) to show cause, why an order should not be made against him for the payment of a sum of £35 19s 5d, alleged to be owing to the latter, who was decribed as a cabinetmaker, carrying on business Palmerston North. Mr Stafford appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Edward Shaw for the defendant. Mr Shaw raised the question of jurisdiction. Counsel stated that before his client had been served with the summons he had paid £30 to the plaintiff, which he (the speaker) was informed was largely in excess of the liability. According to his (Mr Shaw's) instructions, it was Mr Wilson's intention to return to Palmerston North after seeing the Bishop, and his client had not the slightest desire to evade payment of those debts which he had justly incurred. The present proceedings pressed very heavily on the rev. gentleman, and were a great hardship to him. He (Mr Shaw) contended that as only £5 19s 5d of the amount was now being sued for the Court did not possess jurisdiction to deal with the matter. The affidavit sworn to by the plaintiff before instituting proceedings was then produced, and was as follows — I, George Woodroofe, of Palmerston North, in the Manawatu district, cabinetmaker, make oath and say — (1) That the above named defendant is justly and truely indebted to me in the sum of £35 19s 5d. (2) That the above-named de fendant is a clerk in holy orders, and until lately has been residing in Palmerston North aforesaid. (3) That he has lately resigned his appointment as minister of the Anglican Church at Palmerston North, and has caused his furniture and effects to be sold, and is now within the district of this court, and>\ temporarily residing in the city of Wellington. (4) That I enquired yesterday of his Lordship the Bishop of Wellington for information as to the intention of the defendant in reference to leaving this colony, and his Lordship informed me that he had recently received a letter from the defendant, in which he stated that it was his intention to leave shortly this colony for England and that he (the Bishop) stated the defendant had already informed him to the same effect within the last few days. (5) That the luggage of the said defendant when leaving Palmerston North aforesaid was packed and labelled in a fictitious name — that is to say, in the name of ' Dr. Harvey. ' (6) That I believe the said defendant is about to leave this colony for England with intent to evade payment of the aforesaid sum." Mr Stafford mentioned that the plaintiff had seen the Bishop of Wellington twice before taking the present proceedings, and submitted that the Court had jurisdiction in the matter. Mr Shaw drew the attention of the Bench to the peculiar course that had been adopted in the case, the creditors in Palmerston North having handed over to Mr Woodroofe the whole of their debts for the nominal sum of five shillings. The Chairman said the Bench were of opinion that the payment of £30 referred to did not interfere with their jurisdiction, and Mr, Stafford , thereupon proceeded to prove his case. The Rev. Edward C. Wilson was placed in the box, and deposed he was a clerk in holy orders, residing at Palmerston North. He had resigned his cure, and had recently come down to Wellington on business. Previous to leaving he had sold some of his furniture, and the rest remained in the house. With reference to the account of £3 1s by R. Allingham, he would swear that he did not owe that amount. It was not due because he had given that person a promissory note at two months, which period had not quite expired. He did not know that Allingham had refused to accept the note. Hamilton was in the same position. He (witness) forwarded him a note, and as he had not sent it back, he presumed that this creditor had accepted it. Hamilton's note would not fall due until the 8th of February. He had left some money in the Bank of Australasia at Palmerston North, but did not consider he was bound to state what amount was lying to his credit. He could not swear that any of the creditors had accepted the promissory notes sent them, but he thought they had done so. He was not a business man, and knew nothing about such matters. A portion of his furniture was sold a few days ago, and some was given to a creditor. Mr Stafford asked for an adjournment, in order to procure additional evidence. Mr Shaw said he would agree to the application of his learned friend on condition that he would undertake to keep Woodroofe in town until the case came on for hearing again.

Mr Stafford said he wouldudo nothing of the sort. Mr Shaw stated that in the opinion of the defendant a parcel of untruths had been sworn to by the plaintiff, and unless Woodroofe was kept in town until the present proceedings were disposed of he should be compelled to have him arrested for perjury. The Bench asked how long an adjournment was required, to which Mr Stafford replied that he should like sufficient time to enable evidence to be taken at Palmerston North. Mr Shaw said he would resist the application on the ground that sufficient cause had not been shown, but after a brief conversation with the Bench and Mr Stafford, the case was adjourned until the 5th proximo, Monday next.