REPORTED LARGE DEFALCATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 30

REPORTED LARGE DEFALCATIONS.

Information has been laid against John Douglas a well-known Auckland land agentfor theft. Two charges have been laid — one being for the theft of £500 and the second for £225. The warrants for the arrest of the alleged offender, it is understood, were signed at the instigation of J. K. de Moulin. Douglas has not been seen since Thursday morning. Hia estate was assigned to his creditors last week. It is rumoured the deficiency runs into thousands of pounds. The detectives have got no clue as to Douglas's whereabouts.

Auckland, May 3,

The Auckland police received informatioa that John Douglas, land agent, for whom a warrant is out, has heen arrested sit Inglewood, Taranaki. Rumour is busy with the amount of Douglas's liabilities, but at present it is impossible to say what they figure, but sufficient is known to put them down at a very large sum. The estate of the late John Newland, of Ep-om, is interested to the tune of £12,000, and W. H. Smith is anothtr with a claim for £1250 against the missing one. The name of Mrs Lane is also mentioned to-day as having claims for £2500, besides many others. Mr H. Gioultttone, assiguee of the estate, has had charge of the books and accounts belonging to Douglas since the 26 bh April. The house recently oecnpied by him in View road, Mount Eden, is stated to be mortgaged up to its full value. Tbe furniture was Bold by auction to-day. It appears Douglas always kept his books at hia private house. Douglas was a man much trusted, and had a splendid connection. For many yeirs he took a prominent part in religious masters and regularly led the choir at the City Hall Sunday evening services, while his name figures as a member of the Trust Board of the Auckland Scripture G'.f b Association. Douglas came to Auckland from the south some 16 years ago with an excellent reputation.

The question of the union of the Presbyterian Churches ' of the colony was discussed at the meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery on Tuesday. After a long and vigorous discussion the vote was taken, and tbe presbytery decided in favour of union by 12 votes to four, several members present not voting for or against the motion.

The Southland Times understands that the Government have made an offer for the purchase of the Otahu estate, of 6000 acres, a property adjoining the Merrivale estate acquired some time ago. The price is said to be £1 53 per acre, which is considered to be a very good thing for the sellers, the general belief being that three years ago they bought it at 15s. Information, however, gathered from well-informed outside sources, warrants the statement that the late owners (Messrs Batger and Menzies) have spent a considerable sum on the land in permanent improvements while it has been in their

possession,

Atthe annual meeting of the N.O. Agricultural and Pastoral Association on Saturday, Mr Josepn Williams was elected president. At the end of the financial year there was a credit balance in the association's fuads of £129 13s 6d. In two years the association has pulled up its debit balanc3 of about £200, and is now the above amount in credit.

A man named John Howie, who was 60 years of age, was found dead on Monday night on the footpath leading to his hut at Waikaia.

Messrs Dalgety and Co. (Limited) have received a cablegram from their London office stating that the directors have declared the usual interim dividend of 4s per share, being at the rate of S per cant. Dsr annum, payable on 14th May.