Steinberger's Samoan Claims

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 139, 30 January 1886, Page 6

Steinberger's Samoan Claims

At the London Bankruptcy Court on the 20th November, a meeting was held before Mr Registrar Hazlitt for the public examination of Frank Platt, who is described as of Margaret-street, Cavendish Square, of no occupation. The accounts chow an extraordinary state of thing?, the debts being £074 and the assets £99,500. In reply to the official solicitor, the debtor stated that he bad a share in a claim which he had made against Her Majesty's Government for the seizure and destruction of bis yacht, also some furniture and effects on the island of Samoa, by Her Majesty's gunboat Berea, in 1876, the damage being estimated b} him at £125,000. The yacht, was seized on the ground that aho was a pirate. She was an armed vessel, but the arms were only carried for protection. He also claimed £1 500 for diplomatic services rendered to the Samoan Government in negotiating treaties. Ho al*o had an action pending in the American Courts to recover £35,000 for breach of contract for the purchase of a mining property in Colorado for £200,000. When he gave up business in America he was worth £100,000 ; but bo had lost it all. That was «bout 13 years or more ago. He had failed in 1569 in America ; bis liabilities were very large, but he could not remember what the amount was. By Mr David : He had had transactions on the Stock Exchange during the last three or four years, his turn-over being about £100,000 He lodged his claim against the British Government in 1877, by sending it to tbofarl of Derby. Be had communications with the Earl of Derby, stating that he (debtor) had a half share in tho claim, and he received a reply to the fact that no decieion would be given upen the claim without notice to him. He had not individually preseed the claim ; it had been conducted by his solicitors. Mr Steinberger, as part owner of the yacht, was the other claimant, but he had not seen him Tor three years. Steinberger had offered him £10,000 for hi 3 share. He and Steinbereccr formed the Government of Samoa, Steinberger being the Prime Minister, and tho debtor the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The yacht was worth about £B,ooi>, and tho other property destroyed between £50,000 and £60,000 While Chancellor of the Exchequer, he did not pay binuelf £1,500, because it was not then dne. He had since demanded it, but it took upwards of a year to get an answer from there. There was no written law in the Samoan Islands. Tho Registrar : The islanders are much to be congratulated. The public examination was adjourned to enable the trustee to make further investigations.

To THE Puntic— l, the undersigned, do this day make the following' statement, in hopes that others who have gone through a similar affliction may profit thereby:— For many months have I been sick ; sq bad that life was a burden. The mental depression and physical prostration were something that cannot he described. Doctors and patent medicines I have tried without any relief, but getting woi'sp nil the time. Aa a forlorn hope I called on Dr. Speer, Palmerston Buildings, Queen-street. He examined me, and without asking a ques'ion, gave me every symptom I had. Said ho would treat me. Prom the nrst teaspoonful of his medicine I felt relief, and have been constantly getting better ever since. , Words cannot express my gratitude. The above statement I make without any solicitation, and I am willing to verify the same before a J.P.— Respectfully yours, R. Abajjsox, Charlotte-street, Edeu Terrace.