A LABORER’S BANKRUPTCY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2066, 18 December 1907, Page 2

A LABORER’S BANKRUPTCY.

SOME STRONG CRITICISM. A meeting of the creditors of Albert “Treves, _ late 'of Taranaki, laborer, was held yesterday afternoon, at tlie' office of the Deputy Officia, Assignee, tMr. John. Coleman. Present:' The bankrupt and his solicitor, Messrs. J. AVkinray, D. Dustin, and - .D. AlcKeague. Bankrupt's statement was put in, and showed his liabilities at £2BO 17a 10 d, and assets nil.

Air. AVhinray stated that he had not come to the meeting with the hope of getting back any of his money, but as a duty to tradespeople generally. The bankrupt had been going about from place to place leaving unpaid accounts behind him. Mr. Whin-ray related how he had met the bankrupt in the street, and bankrupt said that he -was contracting for Mr.. F. Hall,. and would not receive any money until the work was completed.- Two days prior to this IM-r. Hall had told him (Air. AVhinray) that bankrupt had received £123. He considered that the debtor was imposing on tradespeople. Although they had no redress under the law ho thought it time that some united action was taken by tradesmen,.and representations made in the proper quarter. Air. Dustin' .remarked that it seemed to him that the bankrupt had been very reckless. Judging from the manner in which bankrupt’s wife dressed they appeared to be in a prosperous condition. -

Air. 'AlcKeague also spoke) and said that, he paid freight and charges on -bankrupt’s furniture from JNapier, for which he had received nothing. .

The bankrupt, examined! by the Deputy Assignee, stated that ‘there were some half-dozen other creditors, but he could not. remember the amounts. iHe had -up property or furniture. About ten weeks ago liis wife purchased about £lO worth of furniture front_ Messrs. Miller -and Craig, for which her brother gave liei the -money. Had been in iG-isborne since last- New Year, and attributed his failure to the loss of time consequent on his illness and that of his wife. -The Taranaki debts were all contracted prior to his coming tc Gisborne. AVith regard to the money for the contract, -bankrupt stated that the contracting party, Ikeson and Treves Bros., had received the money, and his -share only lamonnted to £l3. AVhen he saw Air. AVhinray he had not received any money, but had told him that he was going to get- it. Mr. AAliiia-ray would no! wait, and summoned him for the amount. An assignment had been made on the furniture to bankrupt's brother for money lent.

Air. AA’liinray drew-attention to the item in the statement of £l2 for jewellery. Bankrupt explained that lie had bought a watch and chain in AA’ellington, hut had broken the watch in the bush, and did not know what had become of the chain.

The Deputy Assignee remarked that the Bankruptcy Act was not- intended to applv to a case like the present one, where a laboring man ■was incurring debts with no possibility of being able to pay tlieni. He would represent the position to the Judge, whom he had no doubt -would take notice of it. In reply to a question, the Deputy Assignee stated that debts incurred jjy bankrupt’s wife could be recovered if she had any separate account.