KUMARA INSOLVENCIES.

Kumara Times, Issue 487, 18 April 1878, Page 2

KUMARA INSOLVENCIES.

The following Kurnara business, as reported by the Grey River Argns, was transacted in the Insolvency Court, Grey mouth, yesterday, before his Honor, Judge Weston : Re O’Eluherty of Kurnara, miner.— Mr Perkins applied for his discharge. Mr Culh n, a creditor at Hokitika, opposed. The bankrupt’s debts wereabouc £ls, with nominal assets. Mr Cullen examined the bankrupt, to shew that he had a prospect of paying, his creditors when he filed, from a claim which it was said he s old shortly before The creditors contended that the sale effected of bankrupt’s share in the claim at Kurnara was a sham, and the cottage, in which bankrupt resided had Ween bought, by a friend with his meajas/ Ihe Court said the case was a* suspicious one ; it was ordinarily the case that a man left the Court to live in the house to enjoy the property he previously possessed and to flourish. As Mr Cullen desired, the bankrupt must bring the purchaser of the properties before him on the 6th May. Re David Magoffin.—Mr Perkins for the bankrupt. Mr Coates, one of the creditors, opposed. Debts £250, assets trifling. It appeared that the bankrupt failed three years ago, and was subsequently started by Mr On* as a grocer. Upon the shop bought for him by Mr Orr, at £l5O, he paid £IOO, and expended another £IOO in improvements.

[For remainder see. last page.]

In the way of' business he contracted liabilities to divers others, and then opened at Kumara. He then cleared a garden, at a cost of about £6O. Being pressed, he returned to Mr Orr for his debt, the house and shop, and gave a preference to his bankers over other creditors. Mr Coates, it appeared, had recently employed bankrupt at £3 per week. Mr Perkins appealed to the Judge on account of the bankrupt’s wife and young family of five, and contended that there was an absence of intentional fraud. His Honor said the discharge must be suspended for six calendar months. The plaintiff contracted debts and cleared ground when he was unable to pay his debts; and the preference to Mr Orr and the bant was unjust. Feeling, however, that his depending upon those around him must carry with it a sting, he would be sufficiently punished by the suspension mentioned. George Martin, ol Kumara, carter.— Mr Guinness for the bankrupt. The bankrupt’s liabilities amounted to £239 ; of this, £l6O was contracted at Greymouth, the remainder at Kumara. Mc&t.of the Kumara liabilities were incurred after the commission of an assault upon him and which disabled him for several weeks; falling off in trade was also pleaded. His Honour: You left Greymouth for Kumara bankrupt. Through the generosity of the mortgagee you retained the use of your horse and cart and for a time do well, but giving to intemperance you are when intoxicated, severely assaulted. You then prey upon the traders around,.and sacrifice even the doctor and chemist who helped in your recovery. Intemperance was evidently at the bottom of this case. The public must be protected against such people. The discharge is suspended for 10 months ; had the creditors opposed, it might have been longer. The Court rose at 6 until Wednesday, at 10 a.m.