SOLDIER’S DIFFICULTIES

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1928, Page 3

SOLDIER’S DIFFICULTIES

UNSUCCESSFUL VENTURE.

(Auckland “Star.”)

The difficulties of a returned soldier who undertook farming on the West Coast of the South' Island were related at a meeting of creditors in tfie bankrupt estate of Edward George Hunter, traveller of Dignan Road, Point Chevalier, held at Auckland last Friday. The Official Assignee (Mr G. N. Morris) presided. Bankrupt’s schedule showed that creditors were unsecured to the extent of £383, the amount of the deficiency.

After returning from the war, Hunter, in partnership with two others, tool: over a. farm at Ngahere, 18 miles from Greymoutli, under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement scheme. His contribution toward the partnership was £350, £l5O of which was borrowed from his mother. Tn the first season’s operations, 'according to his written statement, only 18 cows were milked owing to the prevalence of ragwort, which was not apparent when the property was inspected. Only one calf was reared and a numbers of cows were poisoned by the weed. Eventually, adversity forced the partners to turn their attentions to bush work, but with £GO worth of white pine cut, the sawmill close by closed down and the timber l’otted on the skids. Bankrupt carried on till 1923, when be found it impossible to carry on further. He subsequently engaged in other contracts on the coast, but repeatedly encountered unforeseen difficulties. He came to Auckland in 1926. and up to four months ago bis earnings had averaged £3 a week. Ho was now out of employment. Bankrupt explained that the reason lie had persisted in taking contract work was on account of being severely gassed at Messines, and lie bad frequently to take time off. Examined by tho Official Assignee, bankrupt said he was forced to file because a warrant of committal was out against him. Mr Morris It was a case of going to gaol or filing?—l os., I suppose you have no wish to aioitl vour obligations?—No. - . “The position is that you are n single man, and. although you cannot make a.n offer at present, I think you' ought to pay your creditors something before you get your discharge.” added Mr Morris. He was inclined to be liberal toward bankrupt if be made some effort to pay. It was not so much a question of bow much in the £, but the effort that was made to meet his obligations. The meeting was adjourned with tho understanding that bankrupt would make an effort to reduce liabilities when the opportunity afforded.