THE DEBTOR AGAIN ABSENTS HIMSELF. EXTRAORDINARY ALLEGATIONS. Auckland, May 23. T. L. WHITE'S CREDITORS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 371, 25 May 1889, Page 5

THE DEBTOR AGAIN ABSENTS HIMSELF. EXTRAORDINARY ALLEGATIONS. Auckland, May 23.

T. L. WHITE'S CREDITORS.

An adjourned meeting of the creditors in the estate of Thomas L. White, a bankrupt, was convened to take place at tteh c office of the Official Assignee at 11 a.m. to-day. On three previous occasions, the debtor had failed to put in a n appearance, and the object of the adjeurn m&nt was to a fiord him one more chance before drastic measures wore adopted. Ab the appointed time there were a large number of ci editors present, but not a sign of tho debtor, and the meeting proceeded to the transaction of business in his absence. Thore were present: Messrs Abbott, Winks, Waymouth, Shaldors, Eirl, Prime, Gribbin, Thorno, Rae, and E. Cooper, Mr Lawson, Official Assignee, presiding. Mr Lawson read a letter which had been received from the debtor, as follows :— "Thursday, 10.45. Dear Sir,— l have handed to Mr 0. F. Buddie a letter in full explanation of matters. With all due rospect to yoursolf and the ci editors, I do nob see that any good can result from my presence. Of course I must bo prepared ' to expect compulsory measures if tho creditors or yourself so decide. — Yours faithfully, T. Leioh Wjute. J. Law&on, Esq." The creditors were completely amazed, and looked at each other in bewilderment, wondering what they should do next. Mr John Abbott ventured tho observation that he had never heard of anything to equal this before. Mr Thorne stated that be had heard that there was one creditor whose name had been omitted from the schedule from whom thedebfcor had obtained i.'B<3 only a fortnight before his bankruptcy. "When will Judge Gillies be back?" was the next query propounded, and an estimate of "about June 10th" was hazarded. Mr F. Earl then hit upon the idea of "ringingup" Whitaker and Russell by telephone to ask Mr C. Buddie to bring around the letter given him by Mr T. L. White. No answer was received, and Mr Thorne came to the lescue by despatching one of his clerks to make the ne> essary inquiry. The creditors awaited tho result with the greatest of interest, and when the reply came, they seemed completely dumbfounded. The answer was: "Mr Buddie has not received any letter from Mr T. L. White, and he is not acting for Mr T. L. White." M c John Abbott was ohe first to recover from the shock and he asked : " Well, what is to be the next act in this remarkable comedy ?" It was considered advisable that Mr White's letter should be read over again to make doubly sure of no mistake, and Mr F. Earl acceded to a general request to relate its contents " in a stentorian voice.'' Mr Thorne said that they now found Mr White had not communicated with Mr Buddie in tho matter. Mr Abbott said the letter, consequently, was nothing but a fabrication, concocted for the purpose of saving time. Mr White virtually informed them that lie could only be brought there by compulsory means. They had gone carefully through the statute, and found themselves absolutely powerless. At the same time they lound that tho Judge could not assist them in any way whatever under these circumstances. Mr Lawson was inclined to strain his powers, in ordei to maintain the prestige of the Bankruptcy Court, but in view of the whole of the circumstances they found themselves utterly waterlogged and helpless. This was an extraoi-dinary case, and they would have to adopt extraordinary measures. Mr E. Cooper said that he had seen Mr Whito since ho had written the letter just read. He asked the debtor whether he was coming to the meeting, and be replied that he had not made up his mind. He (Mr Cooper) then iuformed Mr White that if he did not inteiview his creditors this morning he would assuredly be introducted to the Police Court, and his only chance to avert that misfortune was to face his creditors, and Mr Cooper left him under tho impression that he would attend the meeting to-day. Mr Thorne said that there was considerable difficulty in proceeding against the debtor. He did not see that any creditor could lay an information under existing circumstances. Later on, no doubt, thedebtor could be proceeded against for obtaining money when he had no means of repayment, but this was a mutter i which they could not go into at present. A I person's name appeared on the schedule Irom whom money was obtained by means of letters which were believed to be forged, by ' whom he could not say, but these letters had been given to Mr Cooper, He suggested that Mr Cooper should lay an information against the debtor for obtaining money under these letters. The meeting might authorise che Official Assignee, in the event of Mr Cooper laying such information against' White, to have him arrested at once, and that any funds received from the estate, so far as they would go, be appropriated to meet the incidental expenses of prosecution. They could hardly expect Mr Cooper to take action individually. Mr Cooper thought that the Crown would possibly take up the case. Mr Thorne said that the Crown would perhaps do so, and in that case the money would not be required. Mr Abbott did not think any of the creditors would object to recoup Mr Cooper whatever he was out of pocket in the matter. Mr Earl asked why had not Mr Cooper communicated with the police ? Mr Cooper replied that he wished to hear what tho debtor had to say about the matter. Mr Earl expressed his conviction that Mr White was under a delusion. Mr Cooper : Well, there is method in his madness at any rate. Mr Shalders coincided in this view. Mr Cooper said that he thought thedebtor had at all events shown good sense in not attending this meeting. He evidently understood the Bankruptcy Act well enough,

Mr Rae moved, •' That in the event of Mr Cooper or any client of his taking criminal proceedings against Mr T. L. White for obtaining money under false pretences, or otherwise, the money in the hands or collected by the Official Assignee be appropriated, so far. as the same will extend, towards recouping the prosecutor of any expense incurred by him." Mr Abbott seconded the motion. Mr Shalders asked whether there was no power to bring the debtor to the, meeting by a policeman. Mr Thorne replied that they could nob do so unless the Judge were here. Mr Lawson said he presumed the object of the resolution, chielly, was to prevent the debtor leaving Auckland, and several of thoso present answered in the affirmative. Mr Thorne said that the debtor must have some money in his possession, as he gob £80 shortly before he filed. Mr Lawson : And he got £36 a month before that. Mr Earl said he had no syinpalhy with Mr White in the course he was pur suing, but he did not like the adoption of such harsh measures. Ho therofore would tako his departure, declining bo vote either way. The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously.