This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 156, 5 July 1887, Page 5

This Day.

Michael Monaghan, commission agent, gave evidence to-day ns to having stopped in the hotel.—By Mr Cooper: Was not stopping as a friend but as an assistant. Was there when the bailiffs came, the 12th March. The bar was pretty well stocked. Lived in the house as a friend of Mrs Harding's till ho was turned out. Was paid nothing for his services.—Frederick A. Clark, solicitor's clerk in the office of Messrs Devore and Cooper, . knew Gleeson's hotel. Arranged for transfer of lease. Kept a diary. Reginald Harding, son of the plaintiff, sometimes got receipts for moneys paid to Gleeson, sometimes not. Got a receipt for Ll'i the last time he paid him. Received a cheque once, for which he gave Ll4. By Mr Theo. Cooper : Did not know if when he got the receipts of the 28th of February, he gave the cheque of the 20th of February. A. E. Devore, Mayor of Auckland, and solicitor, deposed to acting for Mrs Lynch and Mrs Harding in March last re Occidental Hotel. Prepared agreement and draft assignment for these persons. Remembered that the price of LI,OOO was agreed upon. This agreement was not carried out.—By Mr Cooper: This LI,OOO was to include billiard table, etc.—Mrs Lynch refused to accept the agreement. Mrs Lynch said she took possession upon the 7th of April. The price agreed upon was LI,OOO for possession; tins was to include good will and furniture. — Mr Cooper for the defence then called Patrick Gleeson, who said ho owned the Occidental Hotel (in trust). In 1885 Mrs Harding took the lease for Ll6 per week, and till 1886 held possessionof the same, when she failed. Witness then entered and ran tho hotel. Mr Compton had a bill over the furniture to tho extent of some L3OO. This bill witness settled, and got an assignment of the furniture. A fresh lease was made to Mrs Harding at a reduced rental of Ll4 per week.- Mr Ehrenfried took over the furniture after paying witness some L3OO for it, and taking a bill of sale for it. Mrs Harding knew this. Rent was paid till March. There were four weeks rent in arrear. Witness authorised Mr Duke to keep possession of the rest of the furniture, and asked Mrs Harding to settle, but she refused to do so. On March 30th a re-entry was made, and the lease determined. Witness offered to stop the sale on certain conditions; also offered to Mrs Harding LSO for her stock in the bar, that being valued at L3O. The LSO was offered if she would give up possession quietly. She was going to do this. This was before the sale was oyer.—By Mr Cooper: He held the furniture for Mrs Harding. Mr Compton wished to marry Mrs Harding.— James Butler Stoney, Clerk of the R.M,

Court, showed the affidavit of service of summons, &c, in the case of the suit for th* money. Judgment was given in Court for the plaintiff for L 32 2s 6d.—John Mowbray rememberedMrEhrenfried taking possession of the hotel in March. Mrs Harding asked witness's advice when the bailiffs were in possession. Said he would speak to the bailiff in charge, Mr Duke, and ask him not _to interfere with the conduct of the business. He promised not to do so. Could not find a purchaser for Mrs Harding at L1,500.—8y Mr Campbell : Tried to get an offer, and. did get one of L 1,250. This did not include furniture.—Andrew Salter remembered Mr Duke taking possession of the bar on behalf of Mr Gleeson. There was no whiskey, port wine or sherry, and very little brandy in the hotel.— Packed up rum and port wine by Mr Harvey's directions ; also helped put this into a dray in the evening. Stayed in the Hotel for two days. By Mr Campbell: These things were packed in the morning. Assisted after the sale in taking an inventory of the contents of the bar and cellar. (Left Sitting.)