A MISSING SURVEYOR. CHARGES AGAINST AN EX-NEW ZEALANDER.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 415, 30 October 1889, Page 5

A MISSING SURVEYOR. CHARGES AGAINST AN EX-NEW ZE ALAN DER.

The sudden disappearance of a city architect and surveyor from his accustomed haunts (says the " Melbourne Standard ") has given cause for some serious allegations concerning his behaviour for several months past. These reports, which ha\e been in circulation for sevoral days past, have culminated in the issuing ot a warrant for the arrest of Mr T. R. Turnbull, the surveyor referred to. Mr Turnbull has tor a considerable period carried on business at the Modern Chamber?, Collins-street, a few doois from Elizabeth-street. He is a married man, about 30 years of age, and until recently lived with his wife in Loch-street, Auburn. Turnbull, who came from New Zealand oriyinally,sceuib to have been unfortunate in h«s business, and is believed to have sustained heavy losses during the recent lund "boom." On commencing business in the city, he was in comfortable circumstances, and few men have had better opportunities for making an honourable uame than he had. Besides having a lucrative profession, he married the daughter of a well-to-do and highly respectable resident of Learmonth, but since that time, which is now about bwo years ago, he seems co have ru.-hed headlong into recklesH speculations*. One one occasiou, some months ago, he uuilt a teriace of brick cottages at Brighton, but owing to the sudden depreciation in the value of real estate, he lost heavily on his venture. Shottly after this he sustained si seveie blow in the loss of an inhinfc fon, atul matters were rendered still more gloomy by a long and severe illness to which Ins wife was subjected. These ovents so worked on Turnbull, who was of a rematUably sanguine temperament, that he commenced to indulge rather freely in intoxicants, consequently his bu&inoss was neglected, and important matters allowed to lapse lor tbe want ot pioper attention. Various means tor raising money were resorted to ; amongst others a considerable sum was wheedled out of Mrs Turnbulls parents, but as last as money came in Turnbull spent it, and by degcecs business men with whom he had dealings refined to credit him with any advances in epite of his assertion that ho was heir to a property valued at £10,000. Matters reached a climax about eight days ajro, when Mi T. \V. Collitr, of Queenptreet, near Flinders street, discovered that a cheque which he had leceived in payment for some office furniture was valueless. Acting on this and some othei information, Mr Collier swore an intomiation, and had a warrant issued. By some means Turnbull h6ard oi this, and ho hus not been seen since last Tuesday. On the previous evening he had told his wife that he wanted t.o go into the city earlier than usual. lie left homo shoitly aiccr 7 o'clock, but 3incc that timo nothing has been heard of his whereabouts. The detectives now have the matter in hand, and a tow days will probably reveal something further concerning Turnbull'j movements.