Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 96, 11 January 1868, Page 3

ing that, to abandon the interest. The other party I had no instructions about at the time. On arrival at Nelson I saw Mr. Millington's “valued friend,” who informed me that he was perfectly astonished that Millington should act as he had done, as he was not aware that he was indebted, having stopped the paper and advertisements time after time, but they were still continued and charged for in spite of all remonstrance, but rather than he should be dragged from Ins business (which at the time was very urgent, to my own knowledge), he would give mo £5 rather than go to Blenheim, as it would cost him privately considerably more than the whole amount. I at once telegraphed to Mr. Millington on the subject, and received an answer to the effect that I was not to take less than the amount agreed upon, to see the other summoned party, and use my own judgment regarding the settlement of ids account. On acquainting the first of my patients of the purport of the telegram, he decided to meet the summons at whatever cost, and it was only at the last moment, when about to leave Nelson, when I met the gentleman going to take out passages for himself and two witnesses —namely, two of Mr. Millington’s agents—that I thought discretion was the belter part of valour, and gave him a receipt in full for £5, simply to save unnecessary expense, which would naturally accrue by the case going to trial under the circumstances. Next I saw the other summoned party, who informed me that he was not indebted, and asked me to call again, his papers being in confusion consequent on the late fire. After days of searching, accounts were shown that satisfied me he was not indebted, having repeatedly stopped papers and advertisements, and knowing Mr. Millington’s style, I at once saw the truth of it. Next I had to ferret out his different agents’ accounts. May I ever be spared such another job ! patience is a virtue, but mine was tried at this portion of the programme, and I was compelled to give up the search, —the agents, one and all, being of the same opinion that no offer, however tempting, would induce any further transactions............... My next attempt was with a legal firm, which proved successful, the accounts being complicated and ranging over a period of years, comprising accounts of the Press, Wairau Record , the Marlborough News, as carried on by Mr. Coward, and the Marlborough News, as carried on at present. The managing clerk finding that I knew the particulars of the different accounts, was only too glad to have them settled, as he said Millington’s accounts had given him a great deal of trouble, never understanding how to dispose of them. After sundry explanations the gross accounts were settled amounting to £21 odd, at the same time I saved Millington and Co. the sum of £4 odd, which had been paid on account of the Press, Picton, and charged Millington and Co , which confusion frequently arises regarding the Press that was, and the Press now carried on at Picton, both of which Mr. Millington has been more or less connected with, thereby causing more confusion. The other accounts I could make nothing of, and gave them up disgusted. On arriving here on the 7th December, Mr. Millington met me, and I at once handed over the cheque for £21 odd, and told him that I had settled his “ valued friend’s ’’ account for £5 to save expenses, as he intended coming with me to defend the action. He Mr. M., seemed to be quite delighted at the idea of receiving so much unexpected money, and on the following Monday evening he asked me into the office, and being in his condition —shrugging his shoulders as if something foreign was biting him, and making awkward attempts at a jig. he informed me that when I gave him the cheque he would have taken me round the neck and kissed me had it not been that so many persons were present ......he really did not know where to raise his immediate requirements, so that the cheque just came in the nick of time, at the same time stating that he should not have been disappointed had I not collected a farthing; as for the legal firm’s accounts, he was under the impression that the boot was on the other leg, only he wanted to know the position of the accounts as he was perfectly in the dark regarding them. I again saw Mr. Millington on the following evening, when he informed me that he had an acceptance due on the Saturday which he could not meet, that Griffiths had secured all the money he had collected. although Griffiths was cognisant of his requiring money so much ; was quite indignant at the idea of Griffiths's behaviour, and that he should make it a warning to him on his return. Although on my asking if he owed Griffiths money, he said ho owed him the money but he should have handed it over before going to take the census, as he, Mr. M. required it, and that if I could give him £5 (the balance of what I collected at Nelson) he thought he should be able to scrape up £10, and get a renewal for the balance. I all the time thought he was joking, but on Saturday he made a formal demand, which I at once objected to as I had given him credit for £5 for expenses of collecting at Nelson, and on account of the current account. But my not giving him the £5 is the only reason he can possibly assign for the gross insult he has perpetrated. The firm owes me now a consioeraole sum independent of the sum I retained, and I only wish a settlement could be arrived at. Should Mr. Millington feel inclined for a little more of the naked truth, I have plenty more in store for him —I remain, &c., Geo. S Stenhouse. Blenheim, Jan. 8, 1868.