THE CAREER OF A. BIGAMIST.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 86, 6 May 1882, Page 115

THE CAREER OF A. BIGAMIST.

The New Zealand Press lately contained particulars of a cruel case of seduction and bigamy committed at South Makirikiri, provincial district of Wellington, by -a schoolmaster named Phillips. The victim was a girl of 14 years of age named Hempseed, who was one "of his pupils, and whom he married at Palmerston, where he was subsequently arrested by the police on an information laid by Mr Donald' McLean, the girl's, brother-in-law. Phillips, who had another wife in Auckland, contended that his marriage with Miss Hempseed was legal, asserting that when he married in Auckland in 1880 he did so under the impression that a Avife whom lie had left behind in England was dead ; but as he subsequently discovered that she was still alive, the Auckland marriage was null and void. The wife in England is alleged. to have died before the third marriage with Miss Hempseed. Anyway, matters are a good deal mixed up, and Phillips, on his own admission, appears to be inclined to Mormon proclivities. Some particulars of his Auckland •career have been . communicatod to us, which go .to prove that he pursued a long course of imposture and deception, in the chain of which the Palmerston escapade is only one of the links. When he was in charge pE a school at Pakuranga he gave out that he was a retired captain of the fßth Hussars, and one' of; the heroes of the Bala•clava* charge. Ref erenc'ejtp army lists, however, 'showed that no sucli person had figured on that

memorable occasion; and Captain Swindley, formerly of the regiment referred to, was able to pronounce Phillips an iinposter. He had succeeded, on the strength of his lying representations, in gaining access to respectable families, when he was bowled out.

Phillips was formerly a drummer in the 18th Royal Irish, and served -vvifcli that regiment in India under Colonel Hardwicke Smith. In 1860 he came to New Zealand in the same ship with the lady whom he subsequently married, passed himself off as a retired captain of the Bth Hussars, introduced himself into notice, and was employed by Messrs Jackson and Russell. On the arrival of the 18th he retired to Nelson, where, on the strength of his pretended military services, he passed an examination of some kind, and was appointed to the charge of a school by J)r Greenwood. On the departure of the 18fch Regiment for Home Phillips returned to Auckland, and was appointed by Mr O 'Sullivan successively to the charge of schools at Devonport, Pakuranga, and Mangare. At the last-mentioned place he seduced a young lady of good family and position, took her to Canterbury, and after some years sent her back with two children to Auckland. He then found his way to Rangitikei, and pursued his career of vice nnfcil the denouement and arrest. The only wonder is that he succeeded in so long imposing on the conmrunity, and securing appointments from which, better men were barred.

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF A CONTRACTOR.

" Though lost to sight to memory dear."

It lias beeu said that man's value in tlie world is never properly appreciated till lie is gone. The circumstances connected with the recent mysterious disappearance of a contractor show the truth of the saying. The mournful regrets which have been expressed in certain Quarters since he became non est invenius are so loud and deep as to arouse suspicions of their disinterestedness. He came to Auckland from Dunedin some twelve months ago, provided with first-class recommendations and a high reputation for honesty and enterprise. Being a regular attendant at chapel and with a disposition to godliness, he soon made his way in public favour and confidence, and tendered successfully for several contracts of considerable amuont. He built Mason Bros, new shop in Q.ueon-street, Oifer's premises, Pitt-street, a shop and dwelling-house for Mr 3J. B. Symons, Victoria-street, and had in hand Messrs Mason's perfumery factory, now nearly completed, and a block of seven cottages for Mr J. Marshall, corner of Chapel and Wyndham-streets. The total amount of the contracts which he had executed amounted to about £6000. A few weeks ago he complained of indisposition, and gave out that he intended to recuperate his health at Waiwera, where lie had been recommended by his medical adviser to spend a few weeks with his family. About Friday week Mr C.'s friends began to manifest some anxiety as to his whereabouts, and very soon it was rumoured that he had mysteriously disappeared. Inquiries at his residence showed that he had left the house with his wife and four children in a cab, together with a quantity of luggage, informing his neighbours that he was going to Waiwera to undergo a course of hydropathic treatment, and to invigorate his constitution with the medicinal waters of the Hot Springs. Telegrams sent to Waiwera elicited the suspicious information that no family of the name of C. had arrived there, and then some of the creditors, who by this time had begun to feel alarmed, telegraphed to the Bluff in order to ascertain whether he had taken passage by the Rotorua. Again there were no tidings of him.

Further investigation showed that a farnilj entered in the passenger list as Mr and Mrs Knight and four children had proceeded by the Rotorua to Levuka, Fiji, and it is now believed that Mr 0. must have altered his mind as to the recuperative properties of the Waiwera Hot Springs and selected the warmer climate of the Fijis for his holiday . He is said to liave been well provided with funds, having at least £500 or £600 in cash in his possession. His liabilities, so far as they have been ascertained, amount to £1050. These are mainly debts to various subcontractors employed on the works which he had in hand. The Auckland Timber Company retains a fond reminiscence of him in its books to the amount of about £500, while the^New Zealand Timber Company has been similarly patronised to the amount of £400. Mr Blakey, plasterer, has a little unsettled claim of £500 ; Mr Holland, builder, is left lamenting to the same tune ; and Mr Parker, plumber, has an aching void of £200. The worst case is that of a blacksmith at the foot of Grreystreefc, who has a memento of £37 on the wrong side of his ledger. A redeeming feature in the affair is that on the night before his mysterious disappearance Mr C. received two cheques to the amount of about £250 after bank hours, which he sent by a friend to his principal creditor, leaving, however, a considerable balance still owing. So far as has been ascertained, there had been no immediate pressure to account for C.'s action, though it is surmised that he may have incurred former liabilities in the South which were becoming troublesome.

The Auckland Timber Company, by a little piece of prudence, lessened their loss by o great many pounds. The contractor owned a quantity of land in Upper Nelson-street, and as rents ruled high and tenants were plentiful, he determined to erect a row of houses on his allotments. The plans of Nelson Terrace were duly prepared, and an extensive order for timber was given by the enterprising contractor to the Auckland Company. This was duly filled, and last week the whole of the timber was lying on the allotments in Upper Union-street. When it became known, however, that C. was non estj an army of carts was brought into requisition, and ere many hours had elapsed on Friday, the boards and scantling, which were so nearly being seized by hungry creditors, again graced the yards -of the Company in Custom-house-street East, and can now be bought for cask. S.everal bjrher tradesmen were very nearly left lamenting oh the same contract* The goods had been- selected and were packed ready for

delivery, when news came that the enterprising purchaser had gone in search of fresher fields and greener pastures. It is not likely, wo hear, that the creditors will receive a large dividend from the property left behind, as it consisted of land and houses in embryo, whiehcould not very conveniently be carried away. It is said that only a small portion of the purchase money had been paid, and that the sellers retained a lieu over the property for the balance. A quantity of books and pajjers of no intrinsic value, except perhaps as mournful souvenirs of the past, were left at Mr O.s residence, besides some furniture. Investigations are now being made into his affairs, and the actual results will shortly be known.