THE LEVANTER BEST.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2656, 8 May 1894, Page 4

THE LEVANTER BEST.

The Timaru Herald has gathered the following particulars concerning Best, the grain expert:— “ We learn that the police here are now iu receipt of information which almost conclusively shows that George Edwin Best, the absconding grain dealer and commission agent, left Wellington in the steamer Ruapehu for London on the 19th April at 4 p.m. Best, his wife and family, on arrival at Christchurch by the express from Timaru on the 18th April, caught the Takapuna at Lyttelton, booking passages at that port for Auckland. On arrival at Wellington, however, the party transhipped to the Ruapehu, which sailed as stated. The police information is reliable so far, that a passenger by the Takapuna, who saw Best and his family, had occasion to go aboard the Ruapehu to see a friend off’, and there he observed his travelling companions, and as the Ruapehu was then about to sail, he is almost sure that they did not go on shore again. There are other circumstances which go to support this statement. One is that owing to some confusion in the transhipment of the luggage the children were left alone for a short time, and in reply to questions said that their name was “ Best,” and that they came from “ Timaru. ” Best on getting off the Takapuna at Wellington had shaved off his beard, and was wearing a pair of dark glasses what are commonly known as goggles. In the last number of the Police Gazette appears a-descrip; im of Best, and information that two warrants are out against him; one for obtaining money under false pretences, the «» 'uir under the penal clauses of the Bankruptcy Act. So far it is said that no cablegram has been sent intercepting him at any of the ports at which the Ruapehu will call as the Government will not move in the matter until the expenses of arresting him and bringing him back to Timaru are guaranteed.