A Bankrupt Solicitor.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5622, 18 November 1889, Page 4

A Bankrupt Solicitor.

The Auckland Star's Dunedin correspondent wires :— At the meeting of the creditors of J. A. Ban, solicitor, held in Dunedin on Tuesday, the Official Assignee in the course of his statement, said the debtor had, as they all knew, disappeared, and, so far as he was aware of, had last been heard of in Wellington. The only guide as to the debtor's position was a memo kindly placed at his disposal by Sir R. Stout, which was at present in his hands. It showed a state of things which, if they could suppose it to be correct, would be rather satisfactory than otherwise, as it showed a considerable surplus, The assets were shown to be about L 14,000 in value, and the liabilities about LIO,OOO. The whole estate, however, was changed in character by mortgages and second mortgages, and various dealings with the properties. The following letter, written by bankrupt just before he absconded, was read and occasioned considerable surprise : — " 30th October, 1889.— Dear Mr Stoddart, — " This is to break the dreadful news that the money you entrusted to me for investment is'ouly part of it secured. Donald Douglass and James Fletcher's mortgages have been paid off, and tho money lost by me in speculation. Merry's is in a worse position, the securities for it only beinc a second mortgage, and the tirst mortgagee is threatening to sell. 1 have cleared out so that any one creditor cannot take everything, and when I'm away all may combine and perhaps realise my estate to sufficient advantage to pay everybody. If this is not done I shall not rest till I have made good the deficiency, but I can do nothing by remaining and facing the matter out, as several creditors have determined to press me to the bitter end, and I am only able to get away now Avithout more than enough to keep me from starvation for a month or so. You Heel am not taking any of the money with me, and have to leave my poor wife and children to the bounty of friends until I cau do something for them. You can rest assured I shall not leave anything undone to get the money you may lose paid back. — Yours in contrition (Signed) John A. Barr. " Strange as it may seem, the writer of this letter in one of his books, under the ■it'nn deplume of "Gilbert Rock," depicts his hero as one driven to suicide under somewhat similar circumstances. The feeling among those present at the meeting was a somewhat angry one, and Mr Eraser (solicitor) in mov'ng, " That a portion of the estate be expended in bringing back the bankrupt, and yielding him up to justice," expressed the opinion that the creditors had a duty owing, not only to themselves, but to the general community, and it would be a wise precedent to bring him back. In seconding the resolution another creditor expressed his willingness to give L2O towards bringing the bankrupt back. The motion was carred, Sir R. Stout, on behalf of an absent creditor, alone dissenting. It was stated that Barr had left his wife without means, and furniture to the value of LIOO was voted her. A story was told by the kte M. DeVillo messant of a Parisian dressmaker that brought her an immense amount of business. Madame C. was honored by the commands of the Baroness X., a lady noted for her line figure, and a small, but not too small, waist. She was extremely anxious that not a single iota should be added to its circumference, and one evening when she was going first to a dinner party and then to a ball, awaited the arrival of Mdme C. with a magnificent toilette with some impatience. She was dressed in all other respects when the dressmaker was announced, but when the new dress was put on, and about to be laced, she declared it too small, and almost with tears she exclaimed that even if it were fastened she could never dance in it. " Mai*»i," said the high priestess of the toilet" Madame can dance but she cannot dine." Not dine !" exclaimed the Baroness; *' but lam ravenously hungry !" " Then Madame cannot wear her new robe," was the imperturbable answer. After some parley it was settled that Madame should eat a few oysters at once, but be only a ■pectator, to the dinner to which she was invited. ' A plate of oysters waa brought, and the dressmaker mounted guard while they were eaten. Six disappeared, but aB the Baroness was about to attack the seventh she cried "Stop! not another mouthful, or I cunnot answer for the gown ! Baroness X was equal to the occasion, and at once sent away the te_mpting bivalves. The dress fitted her like a glove, and was the envy of every salon in which she was seen. The tale soon spread, and the nicety of the tit that would not allow of swallowing a seventh oyster was a nine days' wonder. The Daily Telegraph is responsible for the statement that Sir Hercules Robinson would have been very glad to have been nominated for the Elgin Burghs, as he is very desirous of getting into Parliament. But his term of office does not oxpire till October, and being an ardent Uladstonian Home Ruler, no grace could be expected tv be extended Him by the Government.