MR. G. N. BRASSEY ASPIRES TO PURIFY THE ROLL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8090, 3 November 1887, Page 5

MR. G. N. BRASSEY ASPIRES TO PURIFY THE ROLL.

HE BRINGS ACCUSATIONS AGAINST MR. RIGBY. A sensation was created in town yesterday morning by a rumour that Mr. G. N. Brassey (of bankruptcy notoriety) had discovered some facts damaging to the character of one of our prominent solicitors, and was moving to have his name struck off the rolls of the Supreme Court. It appears that Mr. G. N. Brassey is moved by a burning zeal to keep intact the good name and respectability of tho profession with which he is connected. He discovered that Mr. Rlgby, of the firm of Thome and Kigby, had been formerly a solicitor practising in Lancashire under the name of Mr. Bramwell. From two persons in Auckland, who had known Mr. Kigby in England, Mr. Brassey obtained affidavits, ami filed them at the Supreme Court yesterday, in order, as he states, to have MrRigby's name removed from the rolls. These accusations are of such a serious nature that we feel it our duty to give the followicg particulars, which we have learned from an authentic source :— In 18S1, Mr. Rigby had an extensive legal practice in the north of England. His marked business capacity led to his being employed as solicitor for a number of companies, and eventually he was induced to become a director of some of these companies, aud invest money in them. In addition to this he became sole proprietor of two large cotton mills, employing 00 looms, and some iron rolling works in the neighbourhood of Manchester. Through the depression which existed and became intensified for several years up to ISS2, Mr. Rigby suffered heavy lasses in all these various undertakings— losses so heavy that he ultimately failed, with liabilities amounting to a large sum. A considerable portion of these liabilities were incurred as director of the various joint stock companies by his giving guarantees on their behalf. All these debts were honestly in* curred, and two of them constated of very large overdrafts of his own private account with his bankers. In consequence of the great depression ruling for so many years, properties of the description in whioh Mr. Rigby was interested were uiuoh depreciated in value, aud unrealizable, and his own personal losses amounted to no less than £50.000. By the advice of a number of friends and professional men in the county Mr. Kigby determined to change his name and go to the colonies to try and retrieve his position. Wo understand that for the last three years during which Mr. Kigby has been in Auckland it has been known at Home where he was living, and if there had been any criminality in bis conduct he would have been pursued by justioe long ere this.

A Herald reporter interviewed Mr. Rigby yesterday afternoon, and in reply to enquiries as to why he had ohanged his name, he said : " In leaving the Old Country I felt that from the position I had occupied as a professional man and otherwise, that I could never hope to retrieve my lost fortunes, and make good monies that I felt I ought to mako good, and that probably abroad, and under another name, I should be able, if not wholly at least partially, to retriave my fortunes. Since I cama to New Zealand I have worked solely with that object in view, and as indefatigably as it has been possible for anyone to do." "Why have you had to pass your law examinations again, Mr. Rigby?" asked the reporter. " It is simply because I changed my name, thus making my English certificates unavailable, that I have had to pass the law and general knowledge examinations afresh. My name ceased to appear on the English law list because I ceased to tike out the annual certificate which is required at home." " What has Mr. Brassey done V " He has got an affidavit made by a man named Grundy, a painter, I believe, who says he could identify me, although he never knew me personally, and that I left England with £60,000 of trust money, and tuat I have been struck off the rolls at home, both of whioh statements are utterly untrue." These are. we believe, the facts connected with this matter. It would no doubt have been better for Mr. Rigby to have remained in England, and to have seen the matter oat. But he chose to start life afresh in New Zealand, and we are quite sure that no citizen of Auckland would make that past, which Mr. Kigby himself must keenly regret, a matter of reproach. Indeed, we believe Mr. Rigby will have the sympathy of all right feeling men. But what will these say to Mr. Brassey who devotes himself zealously to working op a case against the character of a professional brother ? This no honourable professional man would do. It is singular in many aspects that Mr. Brassuy should be the man, of all others, who stands out as the champion of the professional character for spotless honour and integrity. It is singular that he should ask that anyone should be struck off the rolls for irregular conduct. Satan reproving sin is nothing to this. Mr. Brassey lately filed his schedule, and stated on oath that he could not make any offer to his creditors. Mr. Rigby was engaged professionally by the creditors, and the result of tho proceedings which he took was that Mr. Brassey'a creditors are to be paid in full. It has been said that nothing enrages a man so much as to compel him to pay a debt which he had made up his mind not to pay, and naturally Mr. Brassey feels full of malice towards Mr. Rigby. Hence his action. It cannot have any effect on Mr. Rigby's position on the rolls as a solicitor, and indeed we cannot imagine that Mr. Brassey could stand up and move that Mr. Rigby should be struck off the rolls. Perhaps after all Mr. Rigby will feel gratitude of a sort towards his would-be persecutor. It is better that the whole circumstances should be known by those amongst whom Mr. Rigby carries on his daily business. Ho has during the years he has been here, gained the reputation of being an ablo and honourable man, and Mr. Brassey's proceedings, we should hope, will not affect him in any way,