A BANKRUPT GIRL

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1930, Page 8

A BANKRUPT GIRL

TRANSACTIONS WITH MONEY LENDERS.

AUCKLAND, September 23. When the creditors of Winifred Baker, a clerk, of Auckland, met today before the Official Assignee, it was announced that there was a possibility of a dividend of 10s in the pound being paid to approved creditors. The claims which had been approved amounted to €347 9s, £46, £35 and £lO respectively. The dividend, said Mr R. A. Singer, counsel for bankrupt, was contingent on the payment of a debt of £2OO that was owing to Miss Baker.

Bankrupt was not present at the meeting owing to ill-health. Three previous meeting had been held, and Miss Baker was subjected to a severe cross-examination regarding a long series of transactions with moneylenders involving large sums. At the last meeting, on July 3, Mr Singer stated that bankrupt originally borrowed £3OO in separate sums to lend to a man who had promised repayment at a good rate of interest. The money was not repaid, and Miss Baker had to borrow again. This was the prelude to the transactions which eventually led to his client’s bankruptcy.

To-day the Assignee said that the case had been referred to the Crown Solicitor, who had reported that there was not sufficient evidence for the issue of a certificate for the prosecution of Miss Baker under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Act. It was, however, open to the creditors, of whom there was a quorum prsent, to pass any other resolution they thought fit. Mr W. IT. Cocker, representing Mrs E. Alway, the principal creditor, said lie agreed that there was not .sufficient evidence disclosed to justify a prosecution. He moved that the meeting should be adjournd for a report to be presented bv the Official Assignee as to the position regarding a debt for a siim of £209 which Miss Baker had lent.

Mr Singer agreed to this course