DRIVERS’ BANKRUPTCY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 110, 7 February 1928, Page 13

DRIVERS’ BANKRUPTCY

WIFE’S ILL-HEALTH CAUSES FAILURE. A meeting of creditors in tlie bankrupt estate of George Thomas Johns, driver, of Wellington, called for yesterday morning, lapsed for want of a quotum, only one creditor being present. Air. J.' F. B. Stevenson appeared lor bankrupt. Bankrupt’s debts, it was shown, amounted to £162 175., there being £122 17s. owing to unsecured creditors and £4O to secured creditors. There were no assets. In his sworn statement, bankrupt said that he had never had a business of his own, but had always worked for an employer as a driver. He attributed his present position as a bankrupt to tlie continued ill-health of his wife. In 1919 his wife was very ill, and was ordered to the country by a doctor. He realised all his assets and her to his son’s farm in the Waikato. He then had £250, and put this into stock on the farm. During the slump of 1920 his son lost much money, and like many other farmers was forced into bankruptcy by tlie slump. The £2ao lie put into tlie stock was lost, and lie then returned with his wife to Wellington, having £2 10s. between them. She again became seriously ill, and had been in and out of hospital ever since For the last month he had been ill himself, and was at present under medical treatment. He was 66 years of age and had nothing but what he ci uld earn as wages as a driver. It was quite impossible for him to pay the debts that were now owing. The meeting was adjourned sine die.