MEETING OF CREDITORS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 267, 23 October 1884, Page 2

MEETING OF CREDITORS.

The adjourned meeting of creditors of Mr. E. O’Meara to take evidence, was held this morning. Mr. Finn appeared for the Assignee, and Mr. Nolan for the debtor. Mr. Ward put in a proof of debt amounting to £53 8s 3d. The debtor deposed he made the survey of a portion of the Waipiro Block.

In answer to Lucas the debtor dialed ho would swear that ho never received over £390 from Mr. Ward. He received from Mr. Ward £202 and £l5 and £l5 from Captain Potter. Mr. Cresswolh Mr. Ward's clerk produced the account of the Waipiro Block amounting to £327. Examination continued—Mr. Ward’s proof is correct. Some of the money was due before my last bankruptcy. He expected the natives to pay for the surveys and to no intermediate parties. Mr. Nolan said that was al| f the business. Mr. Lucas said there was more evidence to be taken. The Assignee said the evidence could be taken by him privately. Mr. Titicas objected to that. He hoped the Press would be admitted. The Assignee said the Press could be debarred from being present. Mr. Maude thought that the witnesses should bo examined before the meeting. Captain Porter said he had no objecton to having his evidence taken before the creditors. He rather preferred their being present. Mr. Watson objected to giving his evidence unless privately, or in open Court, Mr. Maude wanted to hear the evidence as he had several important questions to put to Captain Porter, The evidence of the debtor was now read to him, and duly signed by him. Mr. Nolan asked that something be allowed to the debtor. The Assignee would like to know who was to find that something ? Captain Porter deposed—There is only one block in which I have real interest of £l5O. There are only three blocks on Waipiro in which I have had transactions with the debtor. I have paid him monies on account of work on that block, not directly, but through Mr. Ward. In January, 1883, I entered into negotiations with Natives in Tapuwaeroa South, Nos. 1 and 2. I agreed to nave this land surveyed, the Natives to refund the money to me. The agreement of which I hold duly signed. The money was to be refunded with 10 per cent, interest. I employed Mr. O’Meara to do the work, which was completed and the plans lodged in the Survey department on my account on the 7th October, 1883. The total cost of which was paid to Mr. O’Meara, £595 18s 4d. The Natives afterwards asked me to advance the cost of the Honokao Block. This I agreed to do. The debtor made the plan, and forwarded it to the survey department. I hold, and produce, the receipt of the plan from the survey department. The estimated value of the survey was £302 6s 3d, completed. The debtor was allowed £l5O on that work. Therefore the value of the work completed by the debtor was £745 18s 4d. The amounts paid to the debtor on account of these works, came to £926 4s 7d, leaving a balance due to me of £lBO 8s 3d. To go against that, if the debtor completes the Honokao Block, he is to receive £152, leaving the debtor indebted to me £2B. Those are the only transactions I have had, and for which I hold the liens. With reference to the Waipiro Block, the contract for that was £202 I think. That was the outer boundary. Inside of that are two other blocks—the Mataeu, for £66, and the Hot Springs for £45, and some extra work of £l5. Those amounts were paid to the debtor by me through Mr. Ward. On or about the month of February last the debtor had received authority to survey certain blocks of land on the Tapuewaeroa North and others. Upon this the Natives asked me to pay the debtor moneys for these surveys; but I declined to advance, as I could not see my way clear to get my money back again. There were no lienr. The debtor then came down to see me about it, and wanted me to make arrangements to have the surveys gone on with. He, getting the agreements from the Natives to refund the monies, would deposit them with me as security for advances or supplies to carry his work on. I did not agree to do it. Those agreements are against those lands, and I consider are good, because if the work was completed the plans can be deposited as private plans and held against the various blocks. To Mr. Maude.—These blocks are likely to go through the Land Court about January or February next. With regard to Mr. Ward’s proof of debt, Mr. Maude considered there was something extremely mysterious. The meeting then adjourned.