A Supposed Absconder.

Opunake Times, Volume IX, Issue 439, 25 November 1898, Page 2

A Supposed Absconder.

Wellington, November 23. The name of the absconder with whom rumour has been busy for some days past is now given as Councillor Joseph Myers. An information was sworn against him for obtaining money under false pretences. He is believed to have left on Friday, by the Maori, as he was known to have been making inquiries about a passage, ostensibly on behalf of a needy friend. Myers probably took away a good deal of money with him, as for some days before his departure he was cashing cheques with tradesmen for large amounts, and obtaining change after paying small accounts. It is understood, however, that he did not confine his operation to cheques. The Maori’s first port of call is Monte Video, in Uruguay, where there is an extradition treaty with England. Later. .The information against Myers is not for false pretences, but for forgery, which is an extraditable offence. The amount involved is £3BO. Both local papers received letters from him to-day, bearing this morning’s post-mark, in which he blames his passion for gambling, and abuses the bookmakers as the cause of the ruin. He states that his family had already paid as much as £IOOO to free him, but the passion was too strong, and he always returned to his old vice, till at last he swindled his friends out of thousands, and now has gone where no harm can reach him. These letters apparently were left behind with someone who posted them here.