A REAL THUNDERBOLT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17068, 28 September 1929, Page 4

A REAL THUNDERBOLT

ARREST OF JOHN GREY A MODEL CITIZEN (Special to tho Herald.) AUCKLAND, this day. The quiet little riverside township of Molcnsville was metaphorically' shaken to its foundations when Auckland detectives, in the company of a sheriff from far-away' Texas, arrested John Grey-, one of the most prominent citizens. There was no fuss or show. Three men who might easily have been mistaken for tourists, or visitors to ,sample,the mineral qualities of the neighboring hot springs, quietly left a north-bound express, sauntered up the main street, had a look round, and then walked into Grey’s office. News of the arrest came as a thunderbolt to residents. Grey has associated himself with many' local activities during the 32 years of his residence in the district, and ha* earned the respect of his fellow men by his genial disposition, energy 7 ., and integrity. Scrupulously honest in all his dealings, he was known as “Honest John.” Residents propose to forward a petition to the police authorities in Auckland testifying to his upright character while in their midst. ' They are astounded at the shadow cast over him. He was connected with many municipal activities/and worked as the head of a prosperous land agency business. WOULD ELECT HIM MAYOR. “If John Grey ran for Mayor tomorrow' we would, put him in, as lie has been such a decent citizen,” said Mr. J. Stewart, a. local merchant. “You won’t find anyone who has a word to say against hint. He was a very 7 active citizen, liberal with his 'money', and industrious. He supported everything socially', and was a regular attendant at the Presbyterian Church. As a citizen we could not. lind fault with him. He came to the district hard up, and a number of settlers in order to give him a start ploughed his farm at Tepua.” On every' hand the testimony is the same. Mr. J. Maekie, ex-chairman of the Helensv'iJle Town Board, and a member of tho Waitemata Power Board, said; “I have known Grey for 11 years, and his dealings have always been straightforward. He has been liberal, and has done everything for the benefit of tbo people of the district. I can sa.v confidently' that he was looked upon as one of our best citizens. He was in low water financially' when he came here, but In started in the land agency, business i. the boom period, and prospered. PROTRACTED PROCEEDINGS. “He was local agent for the Public Trust Office, supported the church solidly, and the Helqnsville A. and P. Association, both financially and otherwise. Ho was past president of the Auckland A. and P. Association, and is still a member of the executive. He was on the local school committee at one time, and had been president of the tennis club, and.a. member of the golf club. tHis arrest cattle as a thunderbolt, n 3 be was looked upon as an honorable man. I know we have lost one of our best citizens.” According to the Texas-sheriff, if Grey is extradited—and protected proceedings arc anticipated’—lie will lie charged in the town of Temple with forging bills of lading, by r which, means he succeeded in drawing from two banks the sum of 1150,000 dollars.