PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1890.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8784, 21 May 1890, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1890.

After their experience with the agent of the Picturesque Atlas Company, purchasers oE books from canvassers will think twice before th-y pat their signature to any printed document put before them, and in most instances will be prepared with a very emphatic "No !" wh -n any of the book gentry come to solicit orders. Throughout the Colonies, and in New Zealand, the Company aro suing many who, having signed orders to take the work, are refusing, and invariably they are meeting with success. In this district we understand the agent secured above thirty subscribers, which represents about £450, as the three volumes are booked to subscribers at £5 each. Many dispute the claim made on them, but if the agent has obtained the signature of a person although that person may not have read the agreement signed, still he is liable, and will have to pay. We bolieve the South Islaud has been quite a mine of wealth to the Company. In Oamaru and the Waitaki district alone the Company secured about 120 subscribers, whose contributions represent £1900, and many of these, through one cause or other, do not feel disposed to complete the process of paying up for the work. In Invercargill a number of subscribers have banded together for the purpose of resisting the payment of subscriptions. Each one pays 10s, and with this amount legal advice is obtained and a fund formed for the purpose of fighting the Company in the courts. From the Mcl bourne correspondent of the Otago Daily Times we learn that the company is suing in Victoria and obtaining verdicts where the only defence is non-delivery of the monthly parts each month. For instance, where a, defendant pleaded that the agreement "for monthly delivery had been broken by 39 parts being handed to him in one lot, a verdict was given against him. In several of the country districts defensive leagues have been formed against the company. The book was to cost, complete, £15, we believe, and it is evident that many of the subscribers now regret their inability to say " No" when pressed to subscribe to the work. There may be other reasons that we are not aware of, but ono thing is certain, and that is that there is a general desire on the part of subscribers to allow the company to keep their work if the company on their part will allow the subscribers to keep their money.