Arrest of the Town Clerk of Dunedin.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4370, 5 January 1883, Page 3

Arrest of the Town Clerk of Dunedin.

■ ,■ . . — «• . : . ■ Dukbbik; yesterday. - VAt the Police Court to-day, Mr J. M. Massey, formerly Town Clerk and Treasurer,! was charged with having, on orabout October 12th, 1881, stolen two debentures, each valued at £100, the property of the City Corporation. His wife was also charged with receiving such debentures, knowing them to be stolen. Mr Stout, who appeared for the prosecution, stated that altogether the amount involved was about £3302, and in applying for a remand' he consequently asked for heavy bail; The remand was granted fora week and bail allowed, amounting in Massey's' case to £2400, and Mrs Massey's case to £2pOo. It is understood to be alleged that Mr, Massey, when Town Clerk some years ago, procured the signatures of the Mayor, &c, to what he alleged were duplicate water debentures, and these have beendisposed of in Melbourne; also that the robbery was discovered through the Bank of New Zealand in London. Mrs Massey, it is understood, is alleged to have gone to Melbourne recently to cash some of the debentures. The arrest of Massey and his wife today has created a great deal, of-excite* menfc. Some 18 months ago, it will be remembered, a seedsman, named Allan, brought a charge against him of having conspired to burn down premises in which both were interested. The City Council then compelled Massey to take proceed* logs against Allan for slander, which he did, in the. first instance criminally, and the second civilly. In both cases the prosecutor was so far unauccess* '- ful that the .City Council discharged Massey. He afterwards sued the Council for salary on the ground that; his discharge was illegal, but this action "was decided against him. Since his aischarge he has been living in Dunedin, and both he and Mrs Massey have visited Melbourne. Up till the time of Allan's charge he was universally respected, and, since then, though he failed to convict criminally, or get damages civilly, - Jb|.reputation amongst his many personal friendl~niay-i»l.most be said to have been unsullied. His arrest on the present charge is an intense^S&rprise, and foil de._ tails wiU be eagerly waitedforV in~order that his innocence or guilt may be deter" mined.