SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST THE DUNEDIN TOWN CLERK.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2587, 6 July 1881, Page 2

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST THE DUNEDIN TOWN CLERK.

The following is a copy of the letter forwarded by Mr Thomas Allan, seedsman, to the Dunedin City Council, and which has formed the ground of an action for criminal action :

“ About two years ago Mr Massey (the Town Clerk) and myself, being jointly connected in a coach work, effected a sale of same to Messrs Groves Bros., the purchase-money being secured by bills. The works at this time were insured in the Standard Insurance Company for the sura of £9OO, which was estimated as their full value. Sortly after the sale Mr Massey, without my knowledge or consent, cancelled this policy of insurance and effected insurances to the amount of £I6OO on the works—£4oo of the amount being in the Standard, and (he balance in three other offices. The premiums on the policies were paid by Mr Massey, although hitherto all insurances payments in connection with this business were made either by cheque on our joint account with the Bank of New Zealand, or, when the account would not stand further drawing against, we each gave our cheque for one-half the amount required. After completing this matter of insurance Mr Massey called at my shop, produced the policies and receipt, and said ‘ All right now ; if we can only got up an honest fire we will get our money out of the insurance companies.’ On asking him to explain why he had cancelled the policy in the Standard Office, he said, ‘ My poor wife has £9OO in shares in that Company,’ and that if a fire occurred with the whole amount insured in the Standard a loss might consequently fall upon her ; and further, by dividing the amount among several offices, and giving the Standard a portion, they would be sure to pay without demur or investigation. At the same time he offered me £2O if I could got anyone to burn the place down, and urged that it must be done while the Groves Bros, had possession,so that blame or suspicion, if any should arise would be put on their shoulders. In order to get rid of him I promised to think over the matter. Seeing that I

took no further notice of it, he called again and proposed that we should go ourselves and burn the place down, and offered me £SO to accompany him, and said he should have some kerosene conveyed to the works. This I refused to do, and after several attempts to persuade mo either to do the deed myself or assist him in doing it, the matter dropped, A gardener named Alfred Simmons was in. the office adjoining the shop and overheard Mr Massey on one occasion offering me money to assist him in burning the place, and a copy of statement made by him I herewith annex.—l am, yours • respectfully, Thomas Allan:”