MR. GEORGE NORTH.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 8, 11 January 1881, Page 2

MR. GEORGE NORTH.

MEETING OF HIS CREDITORS. A meeting of the creditors of Mr. George North was convened at the Chamber of Commerce at 10 o'olook this morning. About a dozen attended, and Mr. Biohardson (of Wilson and Riohardson) waß voted to tho chair. The Chairman said it had been reported that North had disappeared, and he (Mr. Richardson) and two or three others thought it would be advisable to meet and ventilate the question to Bee if he had really gone, and what were the best steps to bo taken if such were tho case. There wero all manner of reports about— that he had sold his business, turned his assets into ready money, and had cleared out. Mr. H. Blundoll— The first thing to do will be to establish the fact that he has gone, therefore it has been suggested you should examine this gentleman hero (Mr. Neal), who waß in charge of North's business. Mr. Henry Noal (in the employ of Mr. North)— l can give you my oredit he has gone. Ho wont away by the Hawea last Sunday week. Wo had not tho least idea ha was going. He said a month ago he would take a trip np country, and when he went up country he took a lot of books for the next £4000 sweep and a lot of cards. Ilia wif« and family have gone. Ho brought mo down from Napier with my wife and family, and I am stuck hero, and want to know what I am to do. Mr Blundell— How do you know he's gone? Mr. Neal— l know how; that jb quite enough for me. Everything was arranged between North and a relative. I happonod t o pump the latter yesterday, or I would not know what I do. It was reported North was on tho mail steamer going to San Fran* cisco, and it is a fact. The Chairman — What had the relative to do with it P Mr. Neal— Ho came up as a " blind," to gammon the " boss " wasn't gone. The Chairman— Did ho say so to you ? Mr. Neal— Yes ; that ia what he was down for. Mr. Blnhdell— He told yon that was part of his programme ? Mr. Neal— Yes. Tho Chairman— ls that what you think -merely? Mr. Neal—What I say is what I know, not what I think. The* Chairman— Do you know anything about the tale of tho business P Mr. Neal— lt is not sold at all ; the only part of his property sold is hiß private house. The Chairman — Did he live on tho premises P Mr. Neal — No ; he goes out every summer just for & change. When I came here I took my wife and family there, and it cost me nothing for rent. Mr. Blundell— Had North a lease of the shop ?— Yes ; five years to run. The Chairman— There was a report about that he had sold his business to a person in Nelson for £800, and got tho money. Mr. Blundell said they conld not do anything till they knew what money North owed in town; and, to got at this, he thought claims against him should be advertised forthwith. Mr. Chan,trey Harris did not think they had authority to do that ; the first thing to do would be to declare Mr. North a bank rupt. Mr. T. J. Ladd thoneht the best thing to do was to take legal advice in the matter ; they were working much in the dark at present. Mr. Harris said he had seen Mr. Stafford, solicitor, tho previous evening, who said they ought to make North a bankrupt. Debts to the extent of £174 (inclusive of £105 on bills not yet matured) were stated to be owing. After some further discussion, Mr. T. J. Ladd proposed that Messrs. H. Blundoll and Nathan should take the advice of Messrs. Stafford and Fitzherbert as to making Mr. North a bankrupt, and to report at a meeting to be held in the same place at the same hour to-morrow. Messrs. Nathan and Blundell subsequently waited upon Mr. Stafford, and it was arranged that he should attend the meeting to-morrow morning to advise the creditors as to the beßt course to be token. The following is a copy of a telegram received from Auckland this morning by Mr. Foreman, who is at present in charge of the hairdreßsing establishment on Lambton Quay, from Mr. W. Marshall, well known in Wellington as having formerly tenanted the fruiterer's shop adjoining Mr. North's premises, in response to the former's enquiry whether Mr. Marshall know the absentee's whereabouts and intentions :— " Saw North last Tuesday. Said he had sold out and was going by mail steamer to San Francisco."