MR MOSS'S REVELATIONS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 246, 16 October 1908, Page 5

MR MOSS'S REVELATIONS.

HANCOCK AND COS REPLY

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED BLACKMAIL.

[press association.]

% AUCKLAND, Oct. 15. Messrs Hancock and Company, replying to. Mr Moss's statement, assert that they assisted the .hotelkeeper in question to acmiire a portion of the land and erect a new building, but that the company had no interest in the- hotel beyond the mortgage holding security for moneys actually adva"nced. The botelkeeper did receive the sums of money mentioned by Mr Moss in the course of business, but these were actual cash loans to himself. The company did not foreclose on the mortgage, but as the hotelkeeper intimated that he was unable to make the lousiness pay the company released him of Ins indebtedness by taking over the securities, paying Trim £1000 and releasing collateral assets worth about £800- The company are now agreeable to sell the property for less than its actual cost. The company's business transactions with the hotelkeeper closed in July,, 1906. Two; or three months ago the hotelkeeper made a threat that unless he was paid a considerable sum he would accuse the company as he had done through Mr Moss, but the company declines to be drawn into a public discussion through Mr "Moss, who is probably acting as thehotelkeeper's solicitor to obtain evidence to substantiate a threatened action.