A Lawyer’s Bankruptcy.

Patea Mail, 19 May 1882, Page 3

A Lawyer’s Bankruptcy.

The investigation of Mr Halse’s affairs at New Plymouth has brought to light a course of deception and fraud- which must bo shocking to all ,who knew the old lawyer in his days of oil}' deception and muddling duplicity. Mr Roy, the son-in-law, entered the business, in . 79 ; Mr Halse to find the capital, and Mr Roy to receive one-fourth -profits: in the first year, one-third the second year, and the third year Mr Halse to retire frquj,, the. business. Mr Roy put in l £BOO, and-drew, out £7OO daring three years. Mr Hnlso’s affairs are found to be muddled extremely, for as he kept no ledger account of anymoneys received or paid, Mis are difficult to."trace. ; Tho,. liabilities arb found to be £.19,542, of which ,£.5,868 were unsecured ; and, the assets are jesti-. mated at only £6,131, showing a deficit of £14,414. ■■ ■•= ■’ ” V ! The “ secured " creditors appeared not to have had full values secured to them. A loss of £14,000 : shows a reckless incapacity, or a criminal wastefulness on the part of the deceased lawyer. - Mr Samuel says he knew of some'of Mr Halso’s misappropriations, but was

lulled into a false belief of his honesty by plausible explanations. The creditors have agreed to allow Mr Roy a fortnight in which to make an offer of composition. He expects to be able to purchase the estate, offering so much in the pound. It can’t be much.