THE BARKER—MCDONALD HOSPITAL DONATION

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 118, 29 April 1884, Page 2

THE BARKER—MCDONALD HOSPITAL DONATION

MORE PECULIAR PROCEEDINGS. A hastily convened extraordinary meeting of the Hospital Committee was held yesterday morning for the purpose of settling a matter of dispute re £2OO, the remaining portion of the £6OO which had been placed in the hands of Mr. Nolan for investment. Present—Mr. Booth (in the chair), and Messrs. Nolan, Matthewson, Adair, E. K. Brown, Graham, and McKay, (Secretary). Mr. Nolan stated that he had arranged to advance the £2OO to Wi Brown at 12| per cent. On Saturday Mr. Adair asked him when Wi Brown was to get the money and he said “ What do you want to know for ?” Mr. Adair replied, “Because I have an account against him.” He told Adair “ There will be nothing left for you, for he owes Brassey an account and another to me.” Mr. Adair said he would not allow Wi to be swindled by two lawyers. Later on Mr. Brown and Mr. Adair came to him and said they only wanted 10 per cent. He (Mr. Nolan) then said that as he arranged for 12| per cent, he would have nothing further to do with it, and thereupon sent the cheque back to Mr. Brown. He had a better man ofiering 12 per cent., consequently it would be unfair to let Wi Brown have it for 10. Mr. Adair said the statement was hardly correct, as he did not say he had an account against Wi Brown. Mr. Matthewson remarked that they had nothing to do with any dispute between Messrs. Adair and Nolan. All they had to consider was the goodness of the security and the rate of interest.

Mr. Nolan said that although the property was worth more than the money there would always be a difficulty in getting the interest, and trouble if compelled to foreclose. Mr. Adair contended that Mr. Nolan had no right whatever to lend the money without the consent of Mr. E. K. Brown and himself, who were appointed together. Mr. Nolan : I lent the other without consulting you.—Mr. Adair : Well, I say so still— Mr. Nolan: Because you were to get something out of this. That is why you make the difference. It is a paltry matter. You said you had an account against him.—Mr. Adair : And you said you had another.—Mr. Nolan : Yes, I did.—Mr. Adair : And now you tell people you have not.—Mr. Nolan: Nor have I.—Mr. Adair: And you say you said it for a bit of bluff.—Mr. Nolan: Yes, I did.—Mr. Adair: Well, that is not a proper way of doing businees. Mr. Nolan, after further discussion, said he was under the impression that the matter was left to him solely, and therefore did not think Mr. Adair should interfere. Mr. Booth thought it Mr. Nolan’s duty to get the highest interest he could, with good security. Mr. Nolan could not, fairly to himself and to the Hospital, take ten when he could get twelve. Mr. Adair remarked that the matter was not left solely to Mr. Nolan. Mr. Matthewson thought Mr. Nolan deserved the thanks of the Committee for doing his best. Mr. Adair wished to know why Mr. Nolan had prepared the deed, when he thought there would be trouble in getting the interest. Mr. Nolan had thought the extra 2| would allow a little to come and go on for the trouble in getting interest. Mr. Adair said there was ample margin in the security. He (Wi Brown), was led to believe he would get it at 10 per cent, and on the strength of that he had made certain arrangements. Mr. Nolan had told Brown a week before that it would be 12|, and he did not know till last Saturday who he was to get the money from. When he saw so many people after him (Brown), to get the money, he knew there would be trouble about the interest, because if a man would not pay his debts he would not pay his interest. Mr. Nolan : I propose as an amendment that Wi shall not have it. Mr. Nolan: But there is sure to be trouble. I don’t say Wi is a bigger scoundrel than other natives, or that he is a scoundrel at all, but we know what they are. Mr. Graham: You thought the security goad enough to start with the deed. Mr. Matthewson : I would certainly second Mr. Nolan’s amendment if there is any doubt about the security or interest. I think Mr. Adair, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Nolan should go over the security, and sink private differences. Mr. Nolan : There are no private differences on my part at all. Mr. Matthewson : You seem to have let Wi think he would have it. Mr. Nolan : But he did not keep his appointment about it. Mr. Adair : It is easy to see why he hesitates, because he came to me and I told him the interest would be 10, and Mr. Nolan told him 12J. Of course he wants it at the minimum. Ho made arrangements with me and others on the faith of getting the money. 1 contend the thing could not be finally arranged without the consent of Mr. E. K. Brown and myself. Mr. Nolan : Mr. Adair told me he would not allow me to take 12J. Mr. Adair: I did not think it fair to take 121 from one and 10 from another. Mr. Mattheson : I propose that the throe gentlemen meet and settle it and get the highest interest they can. i Mr. Adair: The meeting can decide it by < the proposition before them, i

Mr. Booth; You prepared the deed. Mr. Nolan: Yes, but that was before so many were running about to know when he was to get it. That made me doubt about the interest, Mr. Adair: In order to bring the matter to a point, I propose that Wi Brown got the money at 10 per cent. Mr. Nolan : Then you must get some other solicitor, Mr. Adair: We can easily do that. There are too many, unfortunately. Mr. Nolan : I won’t give a title. Mr. Adair: No one asks you to. There was no seconder to Mr. Adair’s motion, and Mr. Graham proposed “ That Wi shall get the money at 12| if there was no serious objection.” Mr. Nolan: There are two objections—one that there will always be a lot of trouble in getting the interest; the other that being a native there may be a difficulty as to foreclosing if it should necessary. There is another good offer of 12 per cent, Mr. Graham : I think if Wi was led to understand that he would have it, he should get the money, unless there are good reasons that have since come to light. Mr. Nolan: All that has come to light is so many people coming and asking when he was to get the money, because so many wanted to get something out of it. Mr. Graham : It is nothing to us where the money goes so that the security is right,, Mr. McKay; I understand Wi objects to pay 12 J. Mr. Nolan: William Cooper told me Wi would not pay it, and I said, “ Very well, then he cannot have it.” Mr. Matthewson: Wi has too many advisers. We had better keep clear of him, It will be far more satisfactory, Mr. Booth: I think Wi should have it if he will give 12| per cent., and good security; if not, let the 12 per cent, man have it. Mr. Adair: As no one seconds mine, I second Mr. Graham’s proposition. Mr. Graham : He has been led to believe he would get it, and if there is nothing fresh about the security he should have it. Could you get anyone to guarantee the interest. Mr. Nolan: You might, I know from my knowledge of the man there will be some bother about the interest. I think you know so, too, Mr. Graham ? Mr. Graham : I don’t know about Wi. It is so generally with Maories. Mr. Adair: Well, lam quite willing, rather than that the thing should fall through, to guarantee the interest. Mr. Nolan : Take a note of that, and that settles it. Mr. Adair: We have your permission to take 12£, Mr. Nolan ? Mr. Nolan; Of course you have. I arranged to give it him for 12i long ago. The meeting then rose.