A WELLINGTON SENSATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 278, 24 November 1898, Page 9

A WELLINGTON SENSATION.

SUDDEN DEPARTURE OF A WEL-

LINGTON COUNCILLOR

(By Telegraph —Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The name of the supposed abgconder, with whom rumour has been busy for some days past, is now given as Councillor Joseph Myers. An information was .sworn against him on a charge of obtaining money under false pretences. He "is believed to have left on Friday by the Maori, as he was known to have been making inquiries about a passage, ostensibly on behalf of a needy friend. Myers probably took away a good deal of money with him, as for some days before ,his departure he was, it is alleged, cashing cheques with tradesmen for large amounts, and obtaining the change after paying small accounts. It is understood, however, he did not confine his operations to cheques. The Maori's first port of call is Monte Video, in Uruguay, where there, is an extradition treaty, with England. LATER. The information against Myers is not for false pretences, but for forgery, which is an extradictable offence. The amount involved is cEHSO. Both the local papers received letters from him yesterday bearing that morning's postmark, in which he blames his passion for gambling, and abuses the bookmakers as the cause of his ruin. He states that his family had already paid as much as £1,000 to free him, put the passion was too strong, and he always returned to his old vice, till at last he had swindled his friends out of thousands, and now has gone where no harm can reach him. These letters were apparently left behind with someone, who posted them here. Among Myers' victims was a widow, who is a sufferer to the extent of nearly £1,000. His tales to induce acquaintances to cash cheques before he left were extremely plausible, and apparently very effective. Two additional warrants were taken out againstMyers to-day by loan-com-panies who hold what are alleged to be forged bills. Another man discounted a bill for £469, to which the signature of a well-known merchant was so cleverly .forged that it was passed by the. 'bank as genuine, and the merchant himself thought the signature was his own..