BUILDER’S TROUBLES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 513, 16 November 1928, Page 13

BUILDER’S TROUBLES

SECOND VENTURE FAILS SON WHO WAS “MAD ON WHEELS” A second venture in his trade did not spell success for Johan A. Mason, a builder, of Newton Road. When he met his creditors this morning, his debts were given as £l2O. For his assets, book debts were named. They were expected, to produce £2O. Mason said that he started with £127 capital in 1921, but, after four months’ dealing, he had to give up. He worked on wages, but, in 1925, he decided to make another start. Hardly had he commenced business than he and his wife suffered from an attack of typhoid fever. He had been unable to get progress payments from one contract, and his spare cash dwindled away. Another cause of expenditure was the money spent in securing settlement on contracts in court cases. Mason was subject to a close examination. He said that his wife, who had £IOO capital in shares in a building society, had offered to assist him, but the arrival of “detectives” at the house, representing creditors, caused her to withdraw her offer. “I can’t make any offer until I get a steady job,” Mason told Mr. G. N. Morris, the official assignee. Bankrupt said that, although he was earning 18s a day, he was doubtful if his job would last long. “My view of the books is that, on your own statement, they are not worth the paper they arc written on,” a creditor’s representative said. Mr. Morris: They are no good, anyway. You can’t tell what’s been paid or received.

Questioned about a car which had been used by the family, Mason said: “I had a son at college who was so ‘mad on wheels* mat my wire got the car.”

Mr. Purser, for a creditor, maintained that Mason’s wife had a measure of moral obligation in bankrupt’s debts. He suggested that the assignee should meet the wife informally to see if she could make a payment.

The meeting ended with Mason’s assurance that he would try to meet his creditors when he found regular work.