THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 254, 27 October 1898, Page 3

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY.

A HOTELKEEPER'S STATEMENT.

Alexander Johnston, licensee of the ' Grand Hotel, Auckland, made a lengthy sworn statement to the Official Assignee in Bankruptcj* in reference to the statement made to the Assignee- by George MasseyWatson, a bankrupt. Mr Johnston stated that Massey-Watson came to board at the Grand Hotel on April 12 last, and on the following day he was joined by his valet, who cam. from Wellington with the bull dogs. At the bankrupt's request Johnston paid the former's bill at the Star Hotel, totalling £12 6/7. MasseyWatson engaged two rooms at the Grand Hotel for himself, a room for his valet, and a room was also provided for his dogs. It was arranged that he should pay £12 10/ a week for this accommodation, including board. Subsequently the bankrupt refunded to Johnston the amount of the Star Hotel bill. Mr W. 1. Sinclair, of Wellington, paid for Watson's board, etc., up to April 23rd (£3O), and since then the licensee had received nothing whatever in the shape of, money. He pressed Watson for money at last, and the latter replied that his mother's solicitor would be out by the s.s. Delphic in June, and on his arrival would pay the bills. He said the income from his mother's estate was £40,000 a year, and that he himself had an income of £6,000 a year, independent of his mother. He showed Johnston photographs of his mother's residences in the Isle of Wight, Edinburgh and elsewhere. Mr Johnston since learned that all these representations were untrue. On July Sth Watson drew on his mother for £500, and this Johnston passed into thehands of L. D. Nathan and Co., who forwarded it to their agents in Edinburgh for collection. On the draft being presented to Messrs Stewart, the trustees for Mrs MasseyWatson, they explained that she was the widow' of an Episcopalian clergyman of Edinburgh, and was only in receipt of a very small income, adding, 'her son appears to have been living the same fast ancl precarious life ever since he left this country.' Mr Johnston said there was ample evidence that Watson had 'played the same game' at Buenos Ayres. (Correspondence produced in proof.) Subsequently a bill of sale for £150 over Watson's effects was given. Watson was perfectly sober at the time, and knew well enough what he was doing. Johnston was not aware of any doctor having attended Massey-Wat-son at the hotel. Watson drank very little liquor at the Grand Hotel. What was charged in his bill was chiefly for visitors and friends supplied at his order. He was frequently drunk and came to the hotel in that state from elsewhere. Witness was prepared to give up the goods on payment of the amount of the sale note, £150. He did not think they would realise that sum. With regard'to the bill of .ale, the goods specified therein were held as a lien by Mr Sinclair, of Wellington, and his rights would have to be contested. Mr Johnston in conclusion said he wished it to be distinctly known that he gave this statement voluntarily, and in defence of his reputation as a hotelkeeper, against the libellous statements made by the bankrupt to the Official Assignee.

Vouchers and documents were produced in support of these statements. Josephine A. Johnston, wife of the licensee, and Thomas James Blair, assistant barman ancl waiter at the Grand Hotel, Auckland, also made sworn statements in confirmation of the above.