W.J. HARKER'S INSOLVENCY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4180, 13 December 1884, Page 2

W.J. HARKER'S INSOLVENCY.

Tho following is the continuation of yestcrdoy's report of the above meeting:— Mr Cornford: Did you send your clerk, Mr AVilliamson, to Messrs Large and Townloy, when 3*ou contemplated incurring the debt of £303 4s, to make arrangements.

Insolvent: He went about the office furniture while I was away.

Mr Cornford: Did you got any furniture when you started ?

Insolvent: When I first started I got about £15 worth of office furniture, and while I was away Mr Williamson got about £25 worth more. He told me he was going . to fit up the office properly when I was 1 away. Mr Lowe mentioned in tho list of creditors is my cousin, and Mr H. Harker, Mr C. Harker, and Miss Harker, are my brothers and sister Mr Williamson is acquainted with my family. Judge Macdonald and Mrs Macdonald and Miss Newley know all my family. My mother died about 1882. She left a. will, and did not bequeath any legacy to me. She did not leave me tho control of any sum of money for my own personal benefit.

Mr Cornford: Have you told any persons in Hawke's Bay during tho year 1884, that you were entitled to any moneys under your mother's will, yes or no ? Insolvent: I need to explain. Mr Cornford: AnsM'er the question first, and then give an explanation.

Insolvent: Yes. Mr Cornford : Now you can give the ex-

planation. Insolvent

AVhat have you told people ? Yes, I said I had nuney in

my name left to me. The money is left to trustees in my name, to be used as they think fit, and to be equally divided among my children at my death. I have a piece , of the Avill which shows that the solicitors who proved my mother's will were, I think, Travers and some one else iv Threadneedla street. My mother resided at Woodbury, Stoke Newington. I do not know whether I am entitled to any money under tho will. I informed Mr Sheath of the provisions of my mother's wilt, at the time I got an extract of the will sent out to me; I showed it to him ; I am not aware I told anyone else. I have not got that extract to Avhich I refer now; I have not seen it for more than twelve months. Never authorised my late clerk, Mr Williamson, to say the sum of £4000 was coming out to nie. Never receiA*ed any other letters in regard to money, except the tAvo before the meeting. My life is insured for £5000 in Me Metropolitan, which is kept up by money left by my mother to whom I sold it. I insured my life for £1000 on the Sth October, I paid £16 7a Gd to the Victorian National office on account of that policy, I paid £5 5s on tho 13th October, a lifo governor's subscription to the Rowing Club, which I had promised a fortnight before. I had originally only promised a guinea to to the Rowing Club. Mr Tabuteau asked me for a guinea Avhen he came to collect it, I asked him how much it was to lecome a. life governor, and I said I would sooner becomo one than an honorary member, telling him £5 5s was a small sum for a gentleman in my position; I Avon't say I did not, that I said a good many foolish things about that; time. I don't remember telling any person I Avas making £3000 a year in my business, but it is cpiite possible that I may have dono so. On tho 23rd July, the day after the election I drew £540 odd from the Bank of New Zealand, and jiaid £105 in notes to Mr Williams, for a life Governorship of the Hospital, and paid £400 in, notes into the Bank of NeAV South AVales. It is quite possible that I told some people that I intended presenting to the hospital the property I purchased from Mr Mabbetf; Avhen I paid for it. I told the Napier Athenaeum, if they threw tho library open I Avbuldgivc them £100 per annum towards the expenses of a paid secretary. That was at first committee meeting this year. I believe up to very recently I continually represented myself as a man of large means. I did not specificall}* state any thing but I blew a bit. I anticipated coming into money through my relations. I expected my children Avould be sent out to me, and if they had been, the money for them Avould have been paid to me. I expected other moneys to b§ sent out to me as a loan or a gift. My frionds cabled out £500 as soon as I asked for it, and they were anxious that I should establish a business and a home for my children.

It was proposed by Mr AValker and seconded by Mr Conroy, that Mr J. S.

Large be appointed supervisor of the estate, at a rate of remuneration mentioned in tha second schedule of the Act.

The meeting then adjourned till ten minutes past two on Tuesday next.