COCKBURN’S BANKRUPTCY.

Patea Mail, 16 August 1881, Page 3

COCKBURN’S BANKRUPTCY.

REMARKABLE EVIDENCE, William Smith Campbell, the reputed owner of the land and buildings used by H. B. Coekburn, blacksmith, Hawera, was served with a summons yesterday by Mr W. Dale, trustee in bankruptcy, to give evidence respecting Cockburn’s affairs. The witness was passing through Patea by coach, and wa s required to get off and obey the summons. He first took legal, advice, which was that if he did not obey the summons he could be fetched back. The trustee had information which fully justified the prompt device he adopted for securing Campbell’s evidence. It should be stated that Campbell showed a disposition to act fairly towards Cockburn’s creditors by making a candid statement. Being sworn, he said : I am owner of Nos. 19 • and 49, of block 15 in Hawera, so far as that there is a certain amount of money on the property, and if that is paid I am quite willing to give up my interest in it. The amount due to me is about £IOO. This is apart from the mortgages. Mr Goodson’s mortgage is £250 on the shop and section 19. White’s mortgage is £2OO on the same. The building society’s balance is £SO or £6O, I bought section 19 from Orrasbie, three or four years since. I bought 49 from Cockburn. He did not buy it from me. I was away, and he bought it. I only bought about 14 months since. The cottage was not erected, but was going up. I gave him £IOO which I raised from the society on the land. I lent Coekburn some of my own money. The transfer was originally done from Gibson McGregor to Coekburn. lam not aware that Coekburn showed me accounts and vouchers for timber and materials for the house when I paid him the money. My interest in the dwelling house is that I am liable to the Hawera District Building and Investment Society for their balance, nothing farther. The reason why I bought the property and borrowed on it instead of Coekburn was because he was an uncertified bankrupt at the time. I really' did it to help him to get the freehold, and I am willing to transfer it to the trustee, on being released from liability on the property. Regarding the shop and section 19, I bought the lease from Mr Thos. Bills. When I paid him I think he and Cockburn were together. I gave them £24, and understood they were partners in the business. They were working together. I bought and paid for the house for the benefit of Coekburn. I never carried on the business, and never had any direct interest in it, but I allowed my name to be used in the bank book. Coekburn signed bills and cheques. I did not. My interest in No. 19 and shop, &c., after paying mortgage and, interest is about £SO or £6O. The £2OO from White went into Cockbnrn’s business. Originally I gave Ormsbie £2OO for the property. This was paid out of Goodson’s mortgage. I have paid nothing more on account of this property. Coekburn has paid the interest on the different mortgages. He had never paid me a regular rent. He did not agree to pay me £2 a week at any time. The £IOO stated as due to me includes the mortgage due to the society.