PICTURESQUE ATLAS CASES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3992, 18 December 1891, Page 2

PICTURESQUE ATLAS CASES.

Further Froseoutioaj.

In the Masterton Court.this morning, before Mr H. 8. Wavdell, R.M., several further Picturesque Atlas cases were heard. Mr Pownall appeared for Messrs Bowerman Bros, aud Mr Beard for the defendants. The case Bowerman Bros v. K. ; D. Dagg was adjourned till January 28th, the summons having been served on "R. G. Dagg." The next case called on was that in which the sum of £lO 5a was claimed from Angus M'Leod, of ' the Opaki, for forty-one numbers of the Picturesque Atlas, Mr Pownall explained the circumstances of the case at considerable length. Angus M'Leod, the defendant, called by Mr Pownall, stated: I believe 1 am being sued for £lO ss, the balance due on the Picturesque Atlas. I object to pay because!only agreed to tak9 the one number and paid for it. The agent Metcalt called upon me, and I hope he will not call again. I was sitting at the end of the table and my daughter was there. Metcalf said he could talk Beveral languages and commenced conversing in the language of my father and' mother. I thought theu he wan more of a gentleman tfrui be turned out to be (laughter), lie wanted me to take twelve numbers, but I would not, as 1 was too old. He said I could Duke one number or the twelve. He seemed to be a very pleasant man and I agreed to take one number, subsequently recoived. all. the conversation was over he asked me to sign ray address. I said it good doing that as I • could alwqUJlt found. He replied, " You had be*!SH give me youraddress.'' I agreed, but naked him to write itbimselt. Eventually, at the request ot Metcalf I signed my address " Angus M'Leod, Opaki." (The witness hero attached his name and address to a document), The signature to tfcfc contract produced is not ufnfte minei although it is better than I usually write. It is too good forme. I do not think the signature oft tho patron's list is mine. ' \Ca no use of trying to stuff it down my throat that that's my signature (Laughter). [ tell you straight it's not. I wrote my uamo with a pen belonging to the house. I afterwards saw another representativa of the Company, I don't know who he was, 'He wan no groat beauty (laughter). I was away from home when fcfr ca.me, and when I returned I found him having dinner with ray amily. He wanted to deliver fouiteen numbers, but I would not have them. I said I would take one and asked for a receipt. He would not give mo that and I said "Well, yoii are a beauty" (laughtoi). I swear solemnly before God Almighty and man I did not offer to tuke six numbers (laughter). Bowerman did not show me the contract form. I would not pay him the five shillings beoause he would not give me a receipt. I did not f like the looks "of- thb fellow and I told him so 'in troab* Scotch (laughter). He was not as good looking as you, Mr Pownall (laughter). I subsequently, paid five to another agent for the

part which was left, and got a receipt. T met this agent (Jager) at the railway crossing afterwards, and he told me my friend Chennells was paying •with bills. I told him he might give me the same privilege. I was only chaffing. He wanted me to leave a cheque for h£ at Thompson's hotel, but I was not on (laughter). About three weeks afterwards the Atlases Were thrown down at my back door. My daughter was there. TLe agent fellows scooted np the terrace then without saying good bye (laughter) I put the books in shelter. They might have been looked at, but they are all there. I received a letter from the agent demanding payment, By Mr Beard : I am positive 1 only signed my name once, and that was not on a printed form. The signature to the contract is no more mine than I'm the Queen (laughter.) The agent put some papers over the top and bottom of the document I signed. He told tnejgftfere were only twelve numbers. V2fae had told me I could not take less than twelve numbers I would never haye taken them. He about signing an agreement, but simply asked for my address. The.evidence of Metcalf, Bowerman, and Jager, as taken at Dunedin, Auckland, and Wanganui, was put in.. For the defence Mr Beard addressed the Court at some length. Mrs Wrigley, a daughter of the defendant, deposed that she was present when her father was asked to take the Picturesque Atlas. She saw him sign one document only, and that was to give his address. The signa~ tare on the contract produced was not, in her opinion, that of her father. Her father bad/merely signed his address " Angus M'Leod, Opaki." [Left-Sitting.]