VISIT OF BISHOP HARPER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1033, 21 November 1882, Page 2

VISIT OF BISHOP HARPER.

The Right Rev. Bishop Harper, Primate of New Zealand, arrived here on Saturday by express train from Christchurch. On Sunday morning he visited Winchester, where he preached an eloquent sermon and administered the sacrament. In the evening he held a Confirmation Service in St. Saviour’s Church, Temuka, when the church was crowded to excess ; the Rev. J. Ohaffers-Walsh read » the prayers. There were 11 candidates confirmed, three of whom were males and eight females. Before the Confirmation, the Bishop addressed them, reminding them that their position was similar to that of the Israelites when under Joshua they put away their idols and worshipped God, as appeared from the text read in the service that evening. Joshua wrote down the confession ef the people that they had chosen the service of God, and put up a stone to bear witness that they had done so. The position of the candidates for confirmation was somewhat similar. They had come to take up the service of God, and the congregation present was a witness against them. This was not an easy world to live in ; they would have many difficulties and troubles to encounter ; they would have to struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and they could not go through it as Christians unless they had the assistance of God. Notwithstanding all these difficulties, they had come forward that evening to confess publicly that they had chosen the service of God, and he would ask them not to trust too much to themselves, but always to look up to Him, who would strengthen them in thei r hour of need. He would ask them also to kneel down, and pray for God’s blessing. He would also ask the congregation to pray for them. They were bound as men and women to do what they could for those young people by showing them a good example and by praying tor them, There was great power in prayer, and the congregation . was hound to use this opportunity of praying on behalf of those who were about to he confirmed. After confirmalion he again addresed them. He urged upon them not to forget the solemn obligations they had placed themselves under, and reminded them that these could not be carried out without the assistance of God. The promise of God that he would send the Holy Spirit to be with his Church to the end of time had been fulfilled. They had given honest answers to his questions that evening, and they had received a measure of the Holy Gkost. They should henceforth try to become better day by day. Some people laughed at persons who were religious, as if people could be too pious, or too holy, but they should not heed what the world said. They had not done all in coming that evening to be confirmed; they must try to perfect themselves in holiness, He urged them to temperance, patience, Godliness and charity, and to go to the Sacrament, and exhorted them as they had chosen the service of God to be faithful to it.

The evidence for the defence was taken in this case for transmission to Christchurch Court.

This case may be briefly summarised as follows :—George Creamer in July last made a composition with his creditors of 10s in the £. In consideration of getting a hill of sale over Creamer’s goods and chattel, Donald McLeod, hotelkeeper, of Albury, gave a cheque for the 16s in the £, amounting in all to £360, to Mr Jameson, solicitor, Timaru, in trust for the creditors in Creamer’s estate. Jameson appropriated the cheque to his own use, and gave his own cheque in its stead to the creditors. Jameson’s cheque was dishonored, and the creditors therefore never received the 16s in the £ which they had agreed to take. The plaintiffs therefore sued Creamer for the amount of the dishonored bill. Evidence was taken aa follows :

George Creamer : l am a storekeeper, living at Albury. In July last I called a meeting of my creditors at which I offered a composition of 10s in the £. The plaintiffs were represented at the meeting by John Cowdry. Subsequently that offer was accepted by all my creditors. Mr John Cowdry informed me afterwards that the composition was accepted. I arranged with Mr McLeod that I would give him a hill of sale over my property, and he would pay 10s in the £. Mr Jameson received the 30s in the £ for the purpose of paying the creditors, It was understood that Mr Jameson was to draw up the bill of sale. I have done everything on my part to carry out this arrangement. I have been sued on this bill before, but the case was withdrawn.

To Mr Reid : I have never paid the bill. 1 understood the composition had been paid by Mr McLeod, I never gave any instruction to Mr Jameson to prepare the bill of sale, but it was understood he was to do it. When I met Mr Cowdry and Mr McLeod at the railway station we went into the Bank to see whether Mr McLeod’s heque was good for £360. It was found that it was, and it was then arranged that the bill of sale should be made out. The

cheque was given to Mr Jameson in trust, to be given by him over

to Mr Cowdry on behalf of the cre---ditors. Mr Jameson objected to the papers not being stamped, and Mr McLeod told Mr Jameson to hold over the cheque until the papers were properly stamped. I told Mr McLeod to cross the cheque so that it could not he used. I believe Mr Jameson had no instructions to prepare the bill of sale, but it was understood that I should give him instructions. The bill of sale was over all my stock and chattel. Mr Jameson did not get the particulars from me, McLeod first told me the hill of sale was ready to be signed, but it was some time before I signed it in Mr Perry’s office in Timaru. McLeod was not present, but it was he told me it was ready to be signed in Mr Perry’s office. There was no money given to me when I signed the bill of sale. I have heard that the creditors never received the crossed cheque given by Mr McLeod but that a cheque was given by Mr Jameson which was dishonored.

Donald McLeod : I am an hotelkeeper, I agreed to pay Creamer’s creditors 10s in the £ at a meeting of creditors in July last, hut never signed any papers. I arranged that I should be secured before 1 paid any money. Creamer agreed to secure me. I was to be secured when I paid the money. I paid it to Mr Jameson, who was Creamer’s solicitor. I told Mr Jameson to hand the cheque to the creditors when the documents were ready, I authorised Mr Perry to act for me when I saw things going crooked. Mr Creamer gave instructions re bill of sale. Mr Creamer was present when I gave instructions to take the documents away from Mr Jameson. Creamer proposed that Jameson should do the work. Creamer was to hear the cost of it. I waste bear no expense whatever, because I gave him the money for three months

for nothing. John Cowdry : I am a commercial traveller for Thompson, Shannon and Co. There was an offer of 10s in the

£ made by Creamer and afterwards accepted by the creditors. There was an agreement made and signed by the

creditors

Mr Aspinall asked witness to produce

the agreement. Mr Reid objected to the agreement being produced as no notice to produce it bad been served on the witness.

Mr Aspinall pointed out that all books, papers, etc., had been specified in tbe subpoena served upon the witness, and that that was enough, -

Mr Reid said if the agreement were wanted a specific notice ought to have been served on witness to produce it. His Worship said the subpoena was sufficient, and if the agreement wanot produced he would adjourn the case.

Mr Reid asked until what date he would adjourn it.

His Worship said for six weeks, as he was going on leave and would not sit again before then. Mr Reid said sooner than put the case back for six weeks he would waive the objection. His Worship said he would adjourn the case. Mr Reid asked him to place a note on the evidence to the effect that he had objected to produce the agreement, but as the case was to be adjourned for six weeks he had waived the objection.

His Worship said he would not encumber the evidence with any such thing. It was competent for Mr Reid to bring it before any other magistrate and have the case heard over again.

Mr Reid : But I have waived the objection, your Worship. His Worship : Oh well, that puts an end to it. The agreement was then produced. Witness continued : McLeod told mo to call on Mr Jameson for the cheque i(i soon as the documents were com pleled. I did call about ten days afterwards, but Mi Jameson said the bill of sale was not completed. I asked him to pay it in to our firm’s credit a> soon as it was completed. We received a cheque signed by Jameson, which was dishonored. Jameson was advised that his cheque was dishonored, and Mr McLeod was written to.

To Mr Reid : I do not know who gave particulars of the bill of sale, I believe Mr Jameson took particulars of the bill of sale, and said he would let them know when it was ready for signature. On going to the Bank I ascertained that Mr McLeod’s cheque /was good for the amount of £3BO. His Worship at this stage said he would adjourn the case for a quarter of an hoar.

As soon as the Magistrate got outside the door of the Court he found out he had time enough to catch the the train, and so lie went off, and never returned to the Court. When the quarter of an hour ended tnere was no Magistrate, and witnesses made some noise, as there was no one to order their expenses.