Hunting a Debtor.

Patea Mail, 12 October 1880, Page 3

Hunting a Debtor.

An cx-publican, Francis Williamson, formerly of Manutaiii Hotel, was taken into custody yesterday under painful circumstances. The debtor sold his interest in flie hotel to Mr Gallagher last March, and being indebted to Mr Duncan M'Grcgor about £SOO, and to .M‘‘ S. Tapi in about £IOO, bo lias since been evading the service of summonses for these debts. In bis absence two judgment summonses were obtained, but personal service could not be effected, lie was traced to Christchurch and Dunedin, but managed to evade service there. He is believed to have returned as a stowaway in the St Kilda steamer to Wanganui on the 21st August, remaining on board till nightfall, when he left and reached his mother’s residence near Waitotara. Ho went into the bush, and is supposed to have been hiding about seven weeks at or near a cottage in the bush belonging to the family. Watchers were set to effect service of judgment summonses, but he eluded

them. Mr Hamerton applied at the District Court a fortnight ago for a warrant to apprehend him, in order to secure his compulsory attendance to show cause why ho should not be declared a bankrupt. Judge Shaw remarked that it was unusual for a debtor to be so anxious to elude a process of bankruptcy, whereas many debtors were too ready to seek this means of clearing off liability. The warrant was granted on the joint application of Mr Tapi in and Mr M'Gregor. Sergeant Donovan took (lie affair in band, visited the bush cottage, and was assured the missing debtor was nowhere about. The Sergeant took his own measures, and the result was that Constables Burrows, Wavcrlcy, and M’Phcoly, Waitotara paid a secret visit to the bush cottage about one o’clock yesterday morning. Burrows knocked, and was answered from inside by a man. The constable stated that bo had come to execute a warrant for debt. A. voice replied that if the officer entered there lie would be a dead man, or words to that effect. Burrows kieked the door open and entered. The room was in darkness. He struck a match, and then

saw Williamson in his night-clothes lifting a bottle to strike. Burrows was hit on the temple, and stunned in the door-way. This prevented the other constable from pushing into the room. Burrows plucked up and seized Williamson, got him down, and McPhecly rushed in and helped to put on the handcuffs. Williamson struggled fiercely, using violent threats, and broke the handcuffs in his fury. The two constables overpowered him again* and put on a reserve pair of handcuffs. They put some clothing round the prisoner and dragged him away in the darkness to Waverley. Burrows brought him on to Patea by Monday morning’s coach, and the prisoner was here transferred to the custody of Constable O’Brien, and taken forward by coach and train to Taranaki gaol. He will bo brought before a magistrate at New Plymouth to show cause why he should not be declared a bankrupt. The debtor is stated to be entitled to one-fifth share of the large property near Waitotara left by his father. The name of Williamson has hitherto been held in high respect on this coast. Every flock has its black sheep.