SHADY TEANSACTION BY AN AUCKLAND PUBLICAN.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 227, 17 January 1885, Page 6

SHADY TEANSACTION BY AN AUCKLAND PUBLICAN.

-Ahout a year or so ago, a man whom we will designate as li., came up hero from the South, and soon signalized himself for his lucky transactions in betting affairs. From one well-known bookmaker, Mr J. Gallagher, he received at different times cheques which totted up to the respectable sum of £1000. besides lai-ge sums from other wellknown mctalicians. When at this late meeting, for the first time he was on the losing side, ho failed to come up to time, alleging want of funds as his reason. The bookmakers to whom ho was indebted then discovered that he was on the verge of flight to "fresh woods and pastures new," and interviewed him at the hotel where he had been lodging, and the debtor, caught in a corner, then offered to assign to one creditor, in trust for the others, the proceeds, to be divided pro rata, of a dwelling house which he asserted was worth £700, and mortgaged for £300. The choice of trustee fell on the hotel-keeper, and it being holiday time and no solictor available, the debtor took off his diamond rings and watch and chain, and handed them into the hands of his landlord as a pledge of good faith, the latter signing a receipt which stated that these articles were to be returned on the completion of the deeds of the real estate. The assignment was in favour of the publican, J. Gallagher, J. Enko, and W. Lyons, the last three being bookmakers. The publican managed to get the deed made out. in his own name, and kept carefully out of the way whenever he was sought for by his fellow creditors until ll. 's wife and his brother had cleared out for England, taking with them, it is said, the bulk of the money formerly won by 11. Then only was Mr Pnbhchou.se visible, and he at once sefc up a claim for his full account and £80 cash lent ! which entirely absorbed the balance obtainable on the house property over and above the mortgage, it being found to be worth only £450 instead of £700, as stated by the debtor. This honest trustee utterly overlooked the agreement which bound him to act only as a trustee with others, and to divide the proceeds after the sale pro nitd amongst the creditors who arranged the matter, lie has no legal bond, and so he sticks to the money. Eut lie has got to deal with men who are not accustomed to be got at, and it is the intention of the bookmakers to make the question a legal one, and with that end they have retained Mr A. E. Whitaker, barrister and solicitor, to act in their interests, and they threaten to call the attention of the Licensing- Commissioners to certain other matters, and to also bring the case before the Committc of Tattersal's. We would would strongly advise that licensee to remember that " Hawks don't peck at Hawks' een." The above are the facts as they have been communicated to us, but as it is quite possible that there may be another side to the story, we shall willingly publish any reply, on the principle we have consistently observed of " andi altcram partcnu''