STUDENTS OF TRUTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4995, 6 July 1894, Page 3

STUDENTS OF TRUTH.

Interest on Debentures. At the Christchurch Magistrate's Com yesterday the civilaction in whichElizabet Mary Ingram sued the Students of Truti Society or Trust Board was continue before Mr E. Beetfaam, B.M. Mr Von Haast appeared for plaintiff an< Mr Bruges for defendants. Arthur .Bentley Worthington, teacher o: the Students of Truth, deposed that hi had not received one shilling from Mrs Ingram on debenture?. The first meeting oi the students in reference- to the building whs hfild in June, 1891. Wrote a letter to the students, stating the terms under which he would lease the buildings, and 'finally a lease was drawn up, embodying bis terms. Met the trustees, who were elected by the BtuHents, and agreed to pay £240 per annum: He never agreed to pay interest on the mortgages, or to pay for insurance. On one occasion he stated that he considered he was morally bound to make up any deficiency that might arise, provided that his offertories permitted him doing so. Paid his rent as per lease regularly, when it became due ; paid it for interest to the debenture-holders, as the trustees had no money. They aacepted, in lieu of rent, the receipts for these payments until the incorporation took place in November, 1893. After the incorporation he was directed by the trustees Ito pay the rent directly to them. ! Oa Jan. 18, 1894, paid Mrs Ingram £7 10s, i the amount then due to her. He paid | her this amount because she represented i that she was in great need of the money. The trustees declined to pay her. Paid others on the same grounds. In regard to the Temple, hia liability ended with the payment of rent Bet forth in the lease. I Purchased the land on which the social hall and kindergarten -were erected; neither Mr Dnggan nor Mr Gawen paid one penny towards it. The first year he paid .£lO7, and paid £360 when he began to erect the buildings. The kindergarten was erected at a cost of between £500 and £600. He was not prepared to say where the money came from. He was on friendly terniß with the trustees. He obtained £300 on mortgagefrom H. Marks; the balance belonged to him. Never received one shilling fron the person who passed as Mrs WorthinKton; did not know Mrß Worthington ; never received any money from the students for the bnildinga opposite the temple. The eocial hall coßt from £800 to £1000. This ! was all hiß own money. The £300 mortgage of Marks's and a mortgage for £1000 [ to Duncan and Cotterill were part of it, j The students had nothing to do with these buildings. As regards the furniture in ; the temple, it belonged to the students; j the organ was a present to the stadenta as far as it was paid for. The 1000 chairs and platform furniture in the temple belonged to the students; the furniture in the dwelling-house belonged to him. The furniture in the buildings opposite the temple belonged to witnetßj allowed the studentß to have the loan of it. With regard to teaching and fees, &c, he took all responsibility, and any profits from dramatic entertainments, &c, went to him. The money for inserting " Bible Talks " in the Press was paid by witness; the students had nothing to do with it. Cross-examined by Mr Bruges: The trustees of the temple did not exercise any control over the kindergarten or social hall. The furniture in the temple was leased to him with the temple. G. Simpson, secretary to the Trußt Board deposed that he was a trustee when the Board was incorporated. Was elected a trustee at a meeting of students. The Temple and dwelling-house were erected at a cost of from £5000 to £6000. C. Duggan, a trustee, deposed that the total amount of money raised in debentures was £4957; £412 was paid off in January last, and £168 surrendered. The total amount in debentures now owing was £4387 and interest £210. Outside the debentures the liabilities were at present £139 12s Id. A loan of £100 wbb raised by tha Board about three months ago to meet special needs. The loan had not been repaid. There was a mortgage of £1000 on the temple, which was insured for £1000 ; it cost £5200 to build. The money was chiefly raised by voluntary contributions (£730) and debentures £4957. The income never came up to expenses. A great many debenture-holders had not pressed for their interest. The students at a meeting decided to have the Trust Board incorporated. The students never paid anything towards the cost of erecting the buildings opposite the temple. None of Mrs Wortbington's money was used for build-, ing the temple. Cross - examined by Mr Bruges : In January, 1894, the Secretary to the Trußt Board wrote to Mrs Ingram informing her that the trustees had no money to pay her interest on her debentures. At the time the letter was sent the Board did not know its legal position as regards the debentures. To Mr Haast : Did not think the trustees ever took any legal opinion as to their position. This was the plaintiff's case. Mr Bruges said he did not propoee to call any evidence for the defence ; but he had something to say on the law points involved. The case was then adjourned sine die for argument.