PERSONAL.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1032, 24 December 1872, Page 2

PERSONAL.

(To the Editor oftlw Westport Times)

Sie,-—Reports having been circulated, that there was some collusion between myself and storeman, German Jerry, when he absconded with moneys belonging to me, I should feel deeply thankful to you (providing it was not encroaching to much on your space) if you would publish the following particulars. About four weeks ago I left Jerry in charge of my new store at the Landing proper, having occasion to go to the Old Landing to transact some business there. On my return I could see nothing of my storeman, but did not suspect anything wrong. Going into the store I had occasion to go to my cash, and found it gone. At once instituting inquiries as to where my storeman was, I found he had crossed the river by the punt about an hour and a half previously. At once hiring a horse, I started in pursuit, fully convinced that my storeman robbed me. Getting as far as Christy's, I heard that a person had crossed about au hour before, taking the canoe across himself, and leaving it at the opposite side. Feeling sure it was Jerry, I spurred on, and was just in time to see him in the boat at the ferry opposite the Lyell township. When I got up they wore a few yards from the bank. I called to the ferryman to pull back, and I would give him £5. No notice was taken. I then sung out to Jerry that if he would return me my money I would let him go tree, but they still kept on and landed. When Jerry got to the other side he took to the bush. When the boat returned I went over, and got as far aa Cardie's that night, where I stopped, but heard nothing of Jerry. On returning to the Lyell I reported the robbery, and then came home to the Landing. Some three weeks afterwards I received information that Jerry was between the Lyell and Red Jack's, and that with the" aid of the policeman at the Matikatiki, I should be sure to catch him. Getting a horse I went to the Lyell, but found the policeman was not then. I then hired two men to assist me in Jerry's capture. The policeman arrived in the meantime, and I then made him cognisant of the facts, and where Jerry was, and laid out a plan to take him. The details might perhaps be interesting, but not to the purpose. However, the man was taken in charge by the policeman, and escaped from his custody, swimming the river for it, with the four men (two at each side) in pursuit. The policeman was the last to seo him, and stated that he believes he was drowned; which has subsequently proved true. This ends my statement, and I leave it to any rational man to say whether I was in conspiracy with my storeman or not.—l am, &c, . P. Brandt. New Landing, Nov. 23,1872.