SENSATIONAL ARREST

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1929, Page 11

SENSATIONAL ARREST

HELENSVILLE ASTOUNDED PROMINENT CITIZEN DETAINED. ■ ALLEGED DISHONESTY IN TEXAS. • $ - (By Wire —Special to News.) Auckland, Last Night. The quiet little riverside township of Helensville 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 neighbouring hot springs quietly left the 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 the residents. Grey had associated himself with many local activities during the twelve years of residence in the district, and has earned the respect of his fellow-men by his genial disposition, energy and integ--rity. Scrupulously honest in all his dealings, he is known as ‘’honest John.” Residents propose to forward a petition to the police authorities in Auek*< land testifying to his upright character while dn their midst. They are astounded at the shadow cast over him. He was connected with many municipal activities and worked as head of a prosperous land agency business. “If John Grey ran for mayor tomorrow we would put him in, aS he has been such a decent citizen,” .said Mr. J. Stewart, local merchant. “You ? will not find anyone who has a word to say against him. -He was a very active citizen, liberal with his money and industrious. He supported everything socially and he was a regular attendant at the Presbyterian Church. As a citizen we could not find fault with him. He came to the district hard up and a number of sdttlers in order to give him a start ploughed his farm at Tepua.” On every hand testimony is the same. Mr. J. Mackie, ex-chairman of the Helensville Town Board, and a member of the Waitemata Power Board, said: “I have known Grey for 11 years, arid his dealings have always been straightforward. He has been liberal and . has done everything for the benefit of the people of the district. I can say that confidently. “He was looked upon as one of ouv best citizens. He was in low water financially when he came here, but he started in a land agency business in. the . boom period and prospered. He was local agent for the Public Trust Office, supported the church solidly, and the Helonsville A. and P. Association both financially and otherwise. He was past president of the Auckland A. and P. Association and is still a member of the executive. He was one of the local school committee at one time, and had been president of the tennis chib and a member of the golf club. His arrest came as a thunderbolt as he was looked upon a-8 an honourable man, I know we have lost one of our best citizens.” According to the Texis sheriff if Grey, is extradited and protracted proceedings are anticipated, he will be charged .in the town of Temple with forging bills of lading, by which means he succeeded in drawing from two banks the sum of 160,600 dollars.