A MISSING AUCTIONEER

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8010, 10 October 1892, Page 2

A MISSING AUCTIONEER-

0 Some Kemarkable Developments.

The Melbourne Herald claims to have exposed another glaring case of robbery of trust funds. The culprit, Robert Hutton, once the favourite auctioneer of Williamstown, and tho idol of footballers and rowing men, has shaken the uncongenial dust of Victoria off his shoes, and left v large circle of lamenting, but too confiding, friends and clients. Tho Investigating Committee have many tangled transactions to unravel. In addition to tho persons to whom is owing the £20,000 totalled at a recont meeting, others of Hutlon's clients aro inquiring what has bocomo of their deposits on houses, land and other purchases, inoluding personal effoots, which have paßsed through his hands. One and all depart again, and the ominous word " robbod " may be heard I every hour. Last night thoro was a further revelation, and to Hutton's already blackened list of sins is said to bo added " forgery." Jrom wnnt has become known, it is stated that distinct evidence is available to provo that Hutton forged a oheque for £50, and obtained the money. In another case ho is said to have put off a lady with an old deed of three years back, for v/hicli a fresh document had linoe beon issued. He obtained £60 from two brokers as deposit on a piece of land in Williamstown> and all they have to show is a now worthless receipt. Claimants for rent received in trust by the absentee are vainly searching for their own, and amongst these are some exceptionally hard cases, it is also alleged that Hutton robbed his own mother by using her estato to meet his most pressing demands. Thie may indeed bo called his deepest sin. As in everything in this life there is a humorous side to the whole business, and the manner in which one party was " let in " has provided much fug at his expense. Hutton received £06 in truit forrhe Universal Building Society, and when applied to for the money could not hand it over. The Williamstown representative of the Society, a William Sharp, at once handed in his cheque, and gave Hptton a few hours to shell out on the threat of arrest 'oy a detective who was handy. This he did in the time stipulated, to the astonishment of Mr Sharp. It has boon since ascertained that he went straight away and took in a confiding moneylender after a most unique fashion by manipulating certain shares he had to sell, and go ataved off the day of reokoniug until he had to bolt.