A CRUEL REPORT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 230, 31 August 1883, Page 2

A CRUEL REPORT.

Fxtraordinary and at the same time damaging reports have been circulated m Pal mere ton duang the last few days affecting the business credit and reputation of one of the most sterling and worthily-esteemed business men m Wanganui, and which we cannot but think are devoid of foundation m tact. The circumstantiality of the story is the most remarkable feature, the report stating how ranch the party is to file or assign for, the exact amount the estate will probably pay m dividends, what firms ate secured and who will suffer ; the amount of the bank overdraft, &c, <fee. Strange to say there is no allusion to the matter m either of the Wanganui papers. The reports have been m general circulation m Palmers ton for the last 3 or 4 days, and the name of the firm that it is alleged is about to succumb is openly mentioned. Very likely the rumour will prove to be, a pure canard, though most reprehensible on the part of those who have put it m circulation, find whose action, it is just possible, might be the means of bringing about the very calamity which the reports state has already taken place. Nothing is easier than to bring rnin to a business man, m times of depression and panic like these, who, if left alone, might successfuliy pall through any temporary difficulty. We venture to say that should the collapse take place, which it has been so industriously circulated either actually has already occurred, or is inevitable within the next few <*ays, the announcement of the fa'lnre would elicit the most wide spread sympathy with the misfortunes of a sterling man of business, who has hot probably an enemy on the West Coast, whose integrity and strictly honorable principle none have ever impugned and whose name is a household among the wordsettlers for straight forward dealing and consistent uprightness of character.