PROSECUTION LIKELY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 426, 7 August 1928, Page 1

PROSECUTION LIKELY

BANKRUPT PARNELL BUTCHER CREDITORS DISSATISFIED Because Robert Craig Reid, a partner in a butcher’s business, left Auckland suddenly when he knew he was bankrupt, his creditors passed a resolution this morning that his affairs should go to the Crown Solicitor with a view to prosecution. “Before you put this motion to the meeting,” protested Reid, “I want to tell you that I left purely over a family matter. I’ve done all I can—l can’t do anything more in assisting my creditors.” “I don’t think you’ve done such a great deal,” said Mr. R. Buckrell, for the Loan and Mercantile Company. “You just faded away when you left. You knew you were bankrupt and dijj not even tell your partner you were going.” Reid: I had no intention of evading my creditors. Mr. Buckrell: I’m not at all satisfied. “SQUANDERED HIS MONEY” Mr. C. N. Allpress, for Henry Berry and Company: He left it all to his partner. Reid cleared out and has squandered his money. Reid: No, I did not. Mr. Allpress: Well, there’s nothing to show where it has gone. Reid was partner with W. J. Herk and was in business in Manukau Road, Parnell. There were no assets in the partnership statement. Liabilities were £362 9s, securities were valued at £212 ss, and the deficiency was £l5O 4s. Reid entered the partnership /vith £213, in April, 1927. “You disappeared in October, 1927?” questioned Mr. V. R. Crowhurst, de-puty-assignee. Jteid: I went to Hastings, but that had nothing to do with the business.

Mr. Crowhurst: It had a lot to do with it! Did you intend to come back? Reid: Oh, yes, I was going to come back to see how things were getting along. Mr. Crowhurst: You knew you owed £3OO when you left? Reid: I don’t think it was that. Mr. Crowhurst: Your books showed £ 300. You said you intended to inquire into your position, didn’t you? Reid: I said I could have. Mr. Crowhurst: Oh, you didn’t then. You had no intention of doing so. SERIOUS ACTIONS

To the meeting, the assignee said that he thought Reid must realise the seriousness of some of his actions. Were he to make application in court for discharge from bankruptcy, the assignee thought his conduct would be stated, and the application opposed. The other partner, Herk, had done everything he had been asked. “Is it proposed to let Reid go, after clearing out like that?” asked Mr. Buckrell, in moving that the bankruptcy go to the Crown Solicitor. “It seems hard that he should get off scotfree after evading his creditors.” Reid was placed oh probation in court last month on a charge of obtaining £SO by false pretences. A title is being secured to an Australian property of his, and the land will be disposed of. Its value is estimated at present at about £3OO.

Clay Bird Shooting.—The Ellesmere Gun Club held a £IOO open clay match yesterday at Christchurch as a preliminary to the clay bird championship of the Dominion. There were 52 competitors. F. L. Graham, F. Alexander, E. Lansdell and H. M. Wright each shot all 21 birds, and divided the stake.