A PECULIAR MEETING OF CREDITORS.

Evening Star, Issue 8615, 8 September 1891, Page 3

A PECULIAR MEETING OF CREDITORS.

RE EDWIN HARROW (AUCKLAND). A meeting of creditors in tho estate of Edwin Harrow was convened by himself fox noon on August 28, owing to his selfconfessed title of “the honest pauper of Lake Takapuna.” About twenty gentlemen were present. Before the chairman was appointed, Dr Walker reverently said : “ For what we are about to receive may the Lord make us thankful.” Mr Greenshields added: "Blessed is he thatexpecteth nothing, for he shall not be disappointed.” Mr Harrow explained that ho had arranged with Mr Abbott to take the chair, and had brought him a bunch of violets, that being tho only _ thing he could give him without defrauding his creditors. The arrival of Mr John Abbott was greeted with cheers, and that gentleman at once took the chair, In opening the proceedings Mr Abbot said that was the proudest moment of hie life. It was not often that he had to meet a debtor of the description of Mr Harrow, That gentleman had been in New Zealand about thirty years, and brought wealth with him, and he came before them that day with “Jeremiah.” (Once Mr Harrow had a monkey called Jeremiah,)—( Laughter.) Not a monkey on his property, but a live monkey. Sad to relate, Mr Harrow had lost his monkey, and singularly enough since that loss circumstances had brought about this bankruptcy. Mr Harrow then gave a lengthy statement, commencing: “Dear beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness. Now, in Auckland, to be in debt is not looked upon as a slu, and to go through the Court and pay nothing in the pound or worse is only to do unto others as you would that they should do unto you—at least, this is the conclusion I have arrived at after a careful study of the cases that have gone through the Court; and the less a man pays in the pound the more he is thought of.” The statement then went on to say:—“ His forefathers had fought in Hastings, and that the boast of his father had been that he was never in debt. He had been taught in his youth to render unto Caesar the things which are Cxeiar’s, and unto God the things which are God’s.” Mr Harrow then detailed the result of his various investments, and stated that he should havo been able to meet his liabilities only that bis agent in Natal had notified him that the Kaffirs living on his farm had been allowed further time in which to sell their mealies, so that he was L2OO short. He asked the creditors to have mercy on him, as he had no mortgages on his property, of which the Government value was L 6.000; but the rates, taxes, and insurances swallowed all tho income. He bad taken steps to reduce bis expenditure, and was trying to sell his property. If allowed time he hoped ere long to clear off his debt, and then he should have the happiness of being no longer known as the “honest pauper of the lake.” A long discussion of a “ chaffing ” kind ensued. Mr 6. W. Binney proposed—“ That Mr Harrow assign his estate to Mr John Abbott and himself.” Mr A. Porter moved as an amendment—“ That the creditors present agree to give Mr Harrow a clean receipt upro his taking unto himself a wife.” Mr Porter said it was evident from the remarks of the chairman that Mr Harrow’s present position had been brought about for want of a wife. It was ultimately resolved, on the motion of Dr Walker, seconded by Mr Adam Porter—“ That on Mr Harrow taking a wife—black, white, or piebald—he be released from bis present liabilities,”