THE MISSING BANKRUPT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2186, 9 May 1908, Page 3

THE MISSING BANKRUPT.

POLICE INQUIRING INTO CHARGE.

NO BOOKS AVAILABLE,

(Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 8. An 'adjourned meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of A. E. Elliot, who is missing, was held to-day. - The Assignee reported that same of the creditors had placed the position before the police, and they were now actively enquiring into the charges made against the bankrupt. He anticipated that the reports would be in ; the hands of the Commissioner of Police that day, and Mr Dinnie would decide whether steps would be taken by the Crown or whether the creditors would have to move in their own behalf. The police would not send their reports to him; reports would be sent to each of the creditors who had interested themselves in the matter. That was the position up to the present. So far there was no authority which empowered him to interfere and bring bankrupt back unless it could be shown that he had' taken away more than £2O of the creditors’ money, and he (the Assignee) was provided with sufficient funds to take the necessary proceedings. He had done everything in his power to ascertain all the facts, and if he could secure the information required he would lay a charge. Mr. Young said the creditors were pleased that the police had done something. The matter was really one for the police. , ■ Mr. Simpson added that he had had a long conversation with Sub-Inspec-tor O’Donovan last night, who explained what course would be adopted, in regard to the reports. He (Mr. Simpson) was glad the creditors had made a move. One creditor informed him that ho intended to la.y an information against Elliot that morning. Personally he thought there was a very clear case to proceed against the bankrupt. That morning he had received a letter from the Postmaster at Wellington South, informing him that one of his clerks had cashed a cheque for Elliott for'£4 over the counter. On presentation the cheque was not paid, and the postmaster suggested that tho sum should be given a preference in tho accounts of the 68 This suggestion was received with laughter by the meeting. Mr. Levvey: That is apparently a clear case of presenting a valueless A?r. Simpson : I will hand tho letter over to the police. ‘ _ A long discussion took place regarding /tho bankrupt’s method of bookkeeping and as to how. his-partner, Mr. Duncan, is affected by the bankruptcy proceedings. The Assignee showed a small roughtly-kept book, •which, "ho said,' embodied Elliot s system of keeping accounts. It contained very little information. . iMr Levvey: That is riibbisui* I havo been in his office and have seen other books being written up. Where are the firm’s books? Mr. Simpson: Thero are no books ' except this one. , Mr. Levvey mentioned a case where Mr. Duncan was interested in a property. “Surely, to mention only this case, there was a/partnership account? If a partner in a firm becomes bankrupt, wo are surety entitled to the firm’s books?’ Mr. Simpson: Mr. Duncan was here twice, and he says emphatically that there are no bodies. Ho trusted Elliot to keep the books. . In answer to Mr. P. C. Freetli, tho Assigneo said thero were no partuer- . ship accounts, and apparently no adjustments had been made. It was eventually decided that Mr. Duncan and a lady clerk of Elliot and Duncan bo oxamined on Monday morning, the creditors to meet again ■after tho examination. During a discussion as to what steps should bo taken to bring Elliot back, a lady creditor complained of tho .attitude adopted by those who had attended tho first (and private) meeting of bankrupt’s creditors. “They know/* she saicl, that lie was !* going away.” „ , , , M? Levvey: Oh, no! They thought tlifi’/ were going to be paid. Mr. Simpson endorsed this stateipent. A promise had boon made that bankrupt’s brother would pay 10s in the £. ■T Mr. Levvey: That, of course, was Elliott’s own'statement. Wo did not know whero wo were at the first meetin". Now wo know that thero was nothing in bankrupt’s statement. Mr. Simpson: He a very kind brother to thin'k of doing what Elliot suggested. V- •