HYDE'S HIDE.

NZ Truth, Issue 181, 5 December 1908, Page 5

HYDE'S HIDE.

THE SCHEMES OF A LAND

SHARK.

Dr. McArthur's Denunciation.

Is it a Matter for the Police?

"One Hyde, trading as Gibson and Co., had certain mortgages prepared m favor of one James Aitken over certain lands m. the provincial district of Auckland. These mortgages, purporting to be given by Donald G.raham, Harold Ford, and de Baron, were'stated to be for J£l2oo and ±-350, and another sum not specified, respectively lent and advanced to the mortgagors. Such sums were never lleut and advanced, nor were they any part of unpaid purchase money.'? Dr. McArthur, S.M., m his judgment m the case of William Aubrey and Walter Smart v. Messrs Wishaw and Greenfield, delivered m the Wellington Magistrate's Court. Readers qf "Truth" will readily recognise m the "Hyde" referred to by Dr. McArthur one Edgar Hyde (whose name distinctly fits the owner), whose transactions m conjunction with Amelia Levi m connection with the Silverlake estate were exposed some' months ago m these columns. This journal now purposes giving the public a little further insight into . the transactions of the land shark Edgar Hyde, and next week a further interesting reference will be made to this person, who is both professionally and privately a social leper who should be drwmmed out of respectable. society. In Wednesday's issue of the Squattahs' "Dominion", and the "Evening Post" HYDE ESSAYS AN EXPLANATION of his',side of the case, ard incidentally gets the following interesting sentence off his chest, "I ihink my absence from the ,case allowed room for a good deal of wrestling with the truth." From this Hyde would make .it appear that he is the essence oi truthfulness and honesty himself, but, this. paper would like to ljeat fi'ptn that astute land shark why he did not tai:e the opportunity to appear m ■Court and give his statements, as enumerated m the daily press, on oath. Of course the obvious explanation was m the fact that once Hyde gets into the wit-ness-box he renders himself subject 4 to' crosstexamrnation, and Hyde is taking no chances m that direction. Indeed, it is doubtful whether Hyde wouftd take, action against any of his clients if they refused to carry out their contracts with him. As a matter /of fact, Hydfe is particularly anxious to keep back evidence m a case which is pending and m which he does not figure at all advantageously. However, to the point Hyde and his lady financier, Amelia Levi, appear-to. have a great liking for dealing m bogus and .worthless .'mortgages, and; quite recently the male, person advertised.. m a local journal offering vto transfer mortgages or' equities. for a motor car; ' A man who owned a motor car replied to the advertisement and "''"'"' "''' AGREED'TO. TRANSFER THE CAR for one ofj these alleged^ securities and, gave delivery of the car, which was valued at £3110; arid also- deposited a sum of £20 m .cash.' tie was tuen told he could have the transfer" of the, mortgage, and went to a solicitor, whom v he instructed to dp what was necessary to V put the transaction through. The solicitor,, how ever, had.an intimate knowledge of HydeV transactions and told the car owner thai the security ottered was valueless. Acting, on the solicitor's advice, the man thcu seized the car and sued for- the £20 deposit with £10 damages, Hyde would uofc face the music m court but confessed judgment ;for j;he amount of £30. Certain transactions have taKen place since, but an important female witness, whose testimony is vital ( to the case, llyde refuses to bring forward. In the meantime another course ii being adopted. In-view of Dr. McA.i'thur's strong remarks, this journal would like to know if the Police Department is going to take any steps m the matter. To. the casual observer it certainly looks\ as though . THESE TRANSACTIONS AMOUNT TO CONSPIRACY to: defraud, and the following remarks by Dr. McArthur ,are significant : — ' "As far as I can make from the evidence, . . . . it throws a lurid light on the transactions' of certain persons who, m my opinion, ought to find themselves on the side of the court other ttfan civil." ' '.'.'■. More will ,be heard of, these land sharks, who appear to pass ' their time m scheming to procure the money of hard-working men, which may represent the savings 01 a life-time. Certainly some protection .should be given to the unsuspecting Workers who fall a prey to these vultures.