CASUAL BANKRUPTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 63, 8 December 1926, Page 12

CASUAL BANKRUPTS

“TIME AN EXAMPLE WAS MADE’ PROSECUTION FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT Dominion Special. Auckland, December ,7. “You seem to have treated your creditors just as casually as you have treated me,” said Mr. G. N. Morris (Official Assignee) at a meeting of the creditors of J. Rimmer to-day. Bankrupt had arrived half-an-hour late, just as the creditors were leaving the office. Before Rimmer arrived Mr. Morris said it was about time an example was made of one of these casual bankrupts. Rimmer bad been given every chance. He was told to bring schedules and had not done so. . A creditor: He has taken no notice of his obligations. IL is almost like contempt of court. Mr. Morris: It is contempt of court. Some of these irresponsible people think that consideration means weakness. We will have to show him that such is not the case. . A resolution was passed that bankrupt be prosecuted for contempt of court for failing to supply schedules and failing to appear that day. Just as the creditors were filing from the office Rimmer appeared. He was half-an-hour' late, but it was decided to go on with the meeting. Mr. Morris: Have you any explanation to make to your creditors as to whv you are late ? Bankrupt: I’m sorry, gentlemen. I have been trying to get hold of a solicitor. Mr. Morris: You should have thought of that sooner. You are liable for contempt of court. Bankrupt’s affairs were then considered. He admitted he did not keep books.

Mr. Morris: It is a serious matter in this sort of business not- to keep books. In the case of a farmer it is perhaps excusable. A resolution was passed that the facts be placed before the Crown Prosecutor. “There is far too much of this business of failing to keep books. It will have to be stopped somehow,” said Mr. Morris. »