SUPPOSED 'LONG FIRM' IN WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4402, 25 April 1893, Page 2

SUPPOSED 'LONG FIRM' IN WELLINGTON.

h Arrest Made

For some time past the Wellington detectives have been investigating the operation of what is .supposed to be a 'long firm, 1 wbioli has been carry* ing out its business in Wellington, with ramifications in the principal towns in tho Wairarapa, for the last few months. The firm includes an individual who has figured prominently, not to fiay sensationally, in tha New Zealand criminal court, besides two others who aro believed to have been in trouble in the neighbouring colony of Australia. These three men camoover to Now Zealand from Australia about Decembor of last year, and aro stated to havo com** menced a system of swindling of a rather complicated character. No. 1 made extensive purchases of goods ftom a number of tradesmen iu Weilington, for whioh tie gave bills. His two confederates received the merchandise, and established two stores in Wellington, and one each at Featherston, Masterton, and Grey town, No, 1 himself running one store at Greytown and one at Wellington, the oilier establishments being presided over by managers, who were in some cases tho confederates of tho firm, and in others by pereons who ac- ? e P' ed 'he position in perfeot good faith. Good 3 have been continually passing in waggons between Welling, ton aud the Wairarapa establishments and a large amount of merchandise has been obtained, one firm, we understand, having advanced as much as £7B worth. Credit was established in tho first place by payment of a small sum on account, but reoently, as the bills became due, the principal of tho firm has disappeared and the other two, when approached oil the subject, have repudiated all responsibility in the matter, saying that they simply bought the goods from No. 1, and know nothing more about it. One arrest has been madfl at Featberslon, viz,, that of the notorious New Zealand criminal above-mentioned.—N,Z. Times,