Evading Legal Liabilities

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 June 1913, Page 4

Evading Legal Liabilities

AUCKLAND, Juno 16. Damages and costs totalling £400 Cs were awarded., by ia Supreme Court jury in ' February last to H. L. Hartnow, as. guardian of his five-year-old /son, .Phillip Roland Hartnow, against .' Oswald James Melyern, in respect to injuries sustained by the boy in a motor-car accident. '; ; •The sequel was the recent filing of a petition in bankruptcy by Melvern, -whose creditors were called to gether to-day. Hartnow was represented by Mr R. P. Towle, the other creditor was «ot present! Mr A. E. Devore npoeared foi bankrupt, whose statement showed total liabilities of £403 6s, in-cluding-the amount of the Supreme Court judgment. The assets were declared to be nil.

In the course of examination by the official assignee the bankrupt st-ntod tliat lie was a fancy goods snlesmnn, and lived with his father at Epsom. He had <lono no work since Febranrv last. He had aiv nl'Vd for work in New Plymouth, and had answered advertisements in Auckland, hut had not ohtained employment. Ho was only prepared |o work if he obtained employment ; n a fnncy foods shop. Hβ knew +Int nor+iv t.lironcli his fault the W Trillin Rolanrl Hnrtnow was for Tife, his left arm beinp: pnralvsed. Bankrupt's father gave

him money for necessaries. The bankrupt stated, in reply to Mr Towle, that his object in filing was to rid himself of the debt incurred under the judgment, It woukl be a drawback to him for life' Mr Towle npplietl for permission to examine tho bankrupt's father, and contended that since the f.ithei was bankrupt's present source of income, and as he might have prospects from his father, evidence -)f the hitter's position would be rele- ■ rant. Mr Devoro objected, and tho official assignee stated that in the face of the objection he could not grant the application. ■ Mr Towle remarked that since, he could not obtain the attendance of the other creditor in order to form a oiionini, the proper place to ventilate the matter would be in the court when bankrupt applied for hi>. discharge. The official assignee intimated that it was his intention to oppose the ■application for discbarge in this estate if nothing further were tone by bankrupt in the way of discharging his liabilities before making his plication.