BANKRUPT GAOLED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 403, 11 July 1928, Page 1

BANKRUPT GAOLED

CONTRACTED ILLEGAL DEBTS “AMAZING,” SAYS MAGISTRATE (From Our Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, To-day. A charge of obtaining credit to the extent of £63 0s 6d without disclosing the fact that he was an undischarged bankrupt was preferred against G. Wallace Barker, of Matamata, in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court to-day. Mr. H. T. Gillies appeared for the Crown and Mr. N. S. Johnson for the defendant. The official assignee. Mr. J. H. Robertson, said that Barker was adjudicated bankrupt in 1923. Martin Moran, tyre dealer, Hamilton, said that Barker had obtained credit from him. In the witness box Barker said that his wife had been keeping the books of the business. He had no bank account, but did not operate on his wife’s. The goods secured from Moran were received from his wife and the accounts were made out in her name. He had authority from his wife to obtain credit. “There is little doubt that defendant acted for his wife, and I accept Moran’s evidence that he did not know ‘R. P. Barker’ obtained -credit,” said Mr. s! L. Paterson, S.M. Mr. Johnson said defendant's wife was in hospital, and he had seven children. Defendant had been foolish and there had been no deliberate intention of duping the creditors. The magistrate said the loose way the defendant got credit was amazing. A fine and probation would not meet the case. Accused was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment.