A. PATTERSON'S BANKRUPTCY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 21 November 1907, Page 2

A. PATTERSON'S BANKRUPTCY.

SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. TO BE TREATED AS FIRST-CLASS MISDEMEANOR. Per Press Association. Auckland, Wednesday. At the Supreme Court, Alexander Patterson, charged with breaches of the Bankruptcy Act and found guilty on one count, was brought up for sentence. Mr. Justice Denniston said he would treat the accused as a man personally honest. Addressing Patterson, his Honor said: "Your conduct has been reckless in the extreme. You must have known at the time you entered into possession of this large quantity of goods for your last year's trading that you were absolutely in the hands of your creditors and carrying on only by their grace. You never at any time took steps to really know your position. It is impossible to doubt, to my mind, that the reason was that you could not venture to do so. I believe that your not keeping books was simply a very natural desire to shirk realising your position. It seems to me that you preferred to plunge for that year, with the result we have heard. I must do my duty and sentence you to a term of imprisonment. I sentence you to six months'. In view of the fact that you have not been, guilty of personal fraud, I shall not inflict hard labor.'' Mr. Reed asked that the prisoner be treated as first - class misdemeanor, which indulgence his Honor granted, adding that he wanted to give prisoner every indulgence consistent with his views. Regarding the issues on which the jury failed to agree, Mr. Tole announced his intention of applying to the At-torney-General for a nolle prosequi.