A BANKRUPT’S POSITION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 33, 7 February 1913, Page 2

A BANKRUPT’S POSITION.

ALLEGED FALSE PREFERENCE. Allegations of fraud and false pretences were preferred against James Augustine Tuthill (a bankrupt) in the Magistrate’s Court, New Plymouth, yesterday morning, before Mr A. Crooke, S.M. There were four counts in connection with the first charge, which was that within three months before the commoncQment of his bankruptcy Tuthill, with the intent to defraud his other creditors, gave undue preference to one of liis creditors (his wife) by payment ol four sums of money, namely, £2O, £IOB, £4B, and £4l ss. Mr C. IT. Weston appeared for the Deputy Official Assignee (Mr J. S. S. Medley), while Mr A. H. Johnstone appeared for the accused, who elected to go bcloro a jury in preference to being dealt with summarily. The charges relating to alleged fraudulent preference were taken first, and after evidence had been heard, the accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court at New Plymouth for trial. A FURTHER CHARGE. t In I In' other case, Tuthill was charged with contracting a debt of about £2O TKs 2d with Messrs Hawkins and Smith without any reasonable or probable expectation of being able to pay the same, as well as his other debts. As the facts were the same as in the foregoing case, it was agreed between the parties to shorten proceedings by simply putting in copies ot the witnesses’ depositions in the preceding ease. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, war, committed to the Supreme Court at New Plymouth I for trial. Bail was allowed in Ids 1 own recognisance of £SO.