THE HARDOMGE BANKRUPTCY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 29, 3 February 1913, Page 3

THE HARDOMGE BANKRUPTCY.

MEETING OF CREDITORS, A further meeting of creditors in the estate of James White Harding, stock dealer, was held on Friday in the Hawera Borough Council Chambers. Mr C. A. Budge, D.0.A., presided, and there were present:— Messrs Newton King, F. VV. Carey (N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Hawera), Hewitt {N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency C., Stratford). Kennedy (Dalgety and Co.), Bennett (Matthews, Bennett and Co., Inglewood). Messrs R. I). Welsh and R. Spence appeared for a number of creditors, Mrs Sellar for Mr C. E. Major, while Mr Allison (Wanganui) I represented the bankrupt, who was present. The; D.O.A. said that he had re ceived a letter from Mr T. R. Surrey bearing on some statements made by the bankrupt at the time of his examination, and which Mr Surrey thought were a reflection upon him. He read the letter as follows, which was given the press for publication ; —“Hawera, Jan. 27, 1913. The Deputy Official Assignee, Hawera. Sir. —J. W. Harding. Some little time ago statements made by J. W, Harding were published in the Hawera Star, and therefrom I make the following extract: ‘ln May, 1911, J went to Australia for business purposes with the object of seeing what business could be done in Queensland, and left Mr Mason’s farm fully stocked in charge of my manager, who was conducting my business—buying and selling for me during my absence. On my retuifn from Australia! in September, 1911, investigations showed that there were short 150 cows, 78 yearlings, 24 bulls, and 3 bullocks and 2 steers, making a total of 257 head of cattle; and in addition there were some 285 head of sheep short on this farm.’ Now lam the manager referred to, and as the publication of the statement may reflect on ray character and be prejudicial to my interests, I desire to lay the facts of the case before you, in the hope that my statement may receive the like publicity to that, of Harding’s. Regarding 150 cows stated to be short, 94 of these were carried forward in the books as on hand, whereas they as a matter of fact were sold through the works and not recorded; a further lot of 33 was sent to the Patea, Works, and I advised Bassett of the fact, but I never received any. credit for these in my usual statement—probably these were not recorded in the books; 14 cows were lost on rough land at Meremere out of 101 left there for free grazing. Thus, although the books may have shown that there , should be 150 more cows on hand, if their disposal is not properly recorded they show an absolutely fictitious loss; and I have accounted for 131 out of the alleged .shortage. Moreover, in the class of business indulged in the mortality was very great, and I absolutely say there was no absolute shortage in the number of stock. Similar remarks apply to all the cattle mentioned, but I do not wish to trouble you by details; sufficient for me to say is that every hoof entrusted to my care was accounted for, subject, of course, to mortality and other circumstances. As regards the missing sheep, 285. During Harding's absence in Australia I bought 468 sheep, averaging slightly over 2s per head. As the price will indicate there was great prospect of heavy mortality, as was absolutely the case, but even then I can hardly see that this would account for the alleged shortage. Ail the sheep purchased for Harding while in Australia, with the exception of.those sold and those which died, were handed over to Harding on his return. It is quite evident that Harding was quite satis T fied with my stewardship, for I remained in his employ until March, 1912, when I left of my own accord, although he offered me £6 per week to remain on. Yours faithfully, T. 11. Surrey.”

Mr. Newton King; I don’t think there was any reflection intended upon Mr Surrey. Mr Carey ((N.Z.D. and M.A. Co.), moved, that the creditors express to Mr Surrey that on the facts before them they make no imputation

against hiai. 4 Mr Newton King seconded the motion, which was carried. The D.O.A. said he had a private offer of . £lO for a section at, Waipuku in the estate. On the proposition of Mr Bennett (Matthews, Bennett and C 0,),, and,: Mr Hewitt. (Stratford), the D.O.A, was authorised to accept the offer. The D.O.A. said at, the previous examination the bankrupt- promised to produce certain balance-sheets which had not been ddno. These should have been available, for, the. meeting to-day. Under the circumstances it might be necessary to, adjourn the meeting. The bankrupt said he could produce the required papers. He later did so, but stated there was another bal-ance-sheet in Auckland and he would send for this at once. Mr Newton King moved that Mr Turton be employed to act as accountant to investigate the books and

accounts. Mr Kennedy (Dalgety and Co.) seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Newton King then moved that owing to the bankrupt not having produced all his accounts and papers to the assignee that this meeting stand adjourned. This was seconded by Mr Carey,

and carried 5 r The Bankrupt: I have given eve,/thing I could to the official assignee. I have produced them (the balancesheets) with the except : on of one, which I have, m Auckland. ! This was all the business. Mr Allison had to leave for Wanganui by the midday train, and he was given an understanding before he left that the meeting would be adjourned.— “Star.”