CONCEALED ASSET.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1926, Page 3

CONCEALED ASSET.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER CRESS ASSOCIATION.]

BAN KII uPT ’ 8 RACE HORSE

GISBORNE, March 19. An unusual case came before Magistrate bevvy to-day. when George A. Campbell, a drover, whw became bankrupt some, time ago, appeared on a charge that, being a bankrupt on Nov. Gth., 192.3, at Mnkami, with intent to defraud iiis creditors, his concealed the mans Cyimlia. since the date, ol an unsatisfied judgment by Robert Foolo on July 27th.. 1923; and, further, that on September Bth., 1925, he did not. to the best of his knowledge, disclose to the assignee all his property, and for what consideration he disposed of tho mare Cyiuilia.; and, thirdly, that on •November Gth., 1925, lie fraudulently removed the said mare Cynalin.

Accused pi, faded not. guilty to all charges, and elected to bo dealt with summarily. .Mr Nolan, for the prosecution, said the information was laid under the Bankruptcy Act. On July 22nd., 192-5, judgment was obtained by Foote for K.'rvices Tendered in ’raining C.vnalia. On August 28th. Campbell became bankrupt on his own petition, but it would appear that no disclosure wa.s made in any statements that lie owned the mare. At the meeting of creditors, one asked him what lie had done with the mare, and he said he had sold the filly to his sister for fifteen pounds. Evidence would he given that Air Rodden, of Ruatoria, was in Gisborne for the Poverty Bay Club’s races, and a day or so before the races, Campbell met Rodden. and told him lie bad a mare be didn’t know wliat to do with, and desired to lease the animal, and the parties later entered into an agreement to lease. On November fitli. the two obtained registration from the New Zealand Racing Conference, and an agreement to lease the mare for three years was entered into, Campbell to receive fifteen per cent of the winnings over that period —Rodden having the right of purchase at £3OO.

After evidence had been given, bearing out counsel’s statement, Charles Blackburn, Deputy Official Asignee, said Campbell never mentioned the filly in his statement. Witness discovered by . accident, that the mare lmd been leased by Campbell, so he communicated with the New /calami Racing Conference to obtain particulars of the lease and .subsequently sold the am re to Rodden for £3O.

For the defence, Mr Brosnalian said Campbell was being pressed for money, and sold the mare to his sister a few days before his bankruptcy, and used the proceeds, amounting to £ls, to file. It was admitted that Campbell signed the lease, but he acted for his sister, as he had done in previous deals. Counsel said the terms of lease were drafted by .Miss Campbell. Accused gave evidence, be supporting the satemcHts of bis counsel. Witness was severely cross-examined by Air Nolan, and after other witnesses for the defence had been heard, the Alagistratc said, in the course of his judgment: “I may say at once I believe neither the defendant nor his sister, as the discrepancies io the evidence are so great as to make their story nebulous, in my opinion. Ihe documents have been executed with apparent skill to deceive the Court. The story is not acceptable to me, and [ do not accept it." He said accused would he convicted on the three charges. The Afagistrate told the accused his previous good record alone, saved him from a sharp sentence, for that kind of thing would not lie tolerated. He would be convicted, and admitted to probation for two years, conditional on his taking out a prohibition order and paying the costs of prosecution.

SPANISH LAWYERS ARRESTED. MADRID. March 19. The Government, in a communique states that the Civil Governor of Barcelona Province has ordered the arrest and imprisonment of the Council of the Barcelona bar. The Council was recently dissolved by the Government. The Council had declined to withdraw a manifesto urging that no recognition bo given to its successor’s orders. The communique defends the Governor’s action and adds that the Government will crush all attempts at revolt. HOE ENGINEERING SETTLEMENT. LONDON, Afarch 18. A settlement of the engineering dispute is indicated in the announcement that the Hoe employees have decided to resume on Alonday, and that the lockout notices have been withdrawn.