TARANAKI.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 171, 10 June 1859, Page 3

TARANAKI.

Iff our issue of the 19th April last,,we stated that a Mr. Frederic Norris, a solicitor in New Plymouth, and a Justice of the Peace, had "levanted" from that province in the Lord Worsley, leaving many of all classes the victims of his rascality; that he owed upwards of'£3ooo, and that he said he was going to England to look after the interests of Taranaki in the matter of iron sand. From our late files we learn a few more particulars respecting this arrant rascal, and as his present locale is strongly suspected we gladly publish the following extract from the Taranaki News of April 7, feeling satisfied that the more generally the man is known, the fewer will be his chances of imposing on the people whither he has gone:-— "The community was thrown into a state of extreme consternation last week by a report that a solicitor of considerable practice in New Plymouth had absconded from his creditors and clients in the Lord Worsley. . We transcribe from the Herald of Saturday, an account of this nefarious business, which, '/correct, and we have not heard an iota of its contents disputed, no comment applied to the delinquent can be : - too severe., An officer .of the Supreme Court by.irirtue.of his certificate, on the Roll of Justices of the Peace, and. in extensive business for so small a settlement, unlimited confidence was naturally,, and necessarily reposed in his probity, and in many instances has been heartlessly abused. That he should have got dear off is a reproach to the settlement, and is to be regretted for justice sake and example; and especially so that it deprives his numerous victims of the poor consolation of realising at once the extent of their losses. It is true, as stated by the Herald, that means to detain him were at hand had prompt application been made to the proper authorities, but it is little to be wondered that, in the consternation and uncertainty of those chiefly affected, it should have been delayed until too late. The laxity arising out of so much imprudently placed confidence will not deprive its victims of all sympathy. No doubt early step 3 will be taken to vindicate the character of the profession-; and it should be the business of all who are involved in difficulties by this reckless act.to look out at once for the best means of safety, and take such measures as shall compel a public exposure of the whole affair. The first conception may have been confined to one breast; but it is difficult to see how, without the comfort and aid of confederates, its conclusion could have been brought about with such stealth and success." ' Frederic Norris, a gentleman who, unfortunately '. for society, Is on the Rolls of the Supreme Court of the colony, and who, moreover,'managed to get.his name enrolled on the. list of her Majesty's Justices of ; the Peace, has levanted jn the Lord Worsley, having clandestinely embarked during Thursday night, whilst his numerous victim's were in their beds. Great; credit is due to the agent of the steamer, who, when he was made aware of the fact, proceeded on board and endeavored to get the runaway packed on shore; and having failed in this, heleft the responsibility of taking him away with the master. Bufc responsibility, indeed, there is none. The captains-of vessels are more or less what is termed sea lawyers, and Captain Johnson would unhesitatingly have "delivered over his charge .to a competent authority.~ The fault lies with the creditors themselves. The remedy was. in their own • hands, and they applied it not. It is not a month since that we gave a tolerably full report of the District Courts Act passed by the General Assembly last year, and the course to be taken by, creditors and dupes of unscrupulous men is as clear as words can express it. In the absence of a Judge of . the Supreme Court, a Judge of the District Court ia vested with full power and authority to arrest absconding debtors, and any of the numerous victims in the present instance have good and sufficient ground for applying to have a writ of arrest granted to him.. It is utterly impossible at present to state the exteut .': of mischief and suffering'this event will inflict, particularly on the industrious settlers of our Jittle community. But we already liearof land, paid for with "money—the hard-earned savings of years—wanting a legal conveyance; of rent collected but. not remitted.; of mortgage monies called in unknown to mortgagees-; of deeds of one client fraudulently pledged as security forUnother; of monies lately raised on mortgage deeds stated to have been nearly paid of; and of the heartless attempt, within the last few days, to procure money on loan from a laborer employed on the roads. In a word, no victim was too high or too humble for his machinations. And if we only suppress as untrue a tithe of these reports, will it be crMited that the man who is guilty of these found friends in the place to aid him in his flight from justice and judgment ? Contrast his deeds with those of the Mayor of Adelaide, who was lately sentenced to six years' imprisonment with hard labor (as reported in this day's Herald) and say which is the greatest delinquent, and. which most deserves the punishment.'"— Taranaki Herald, April 2.