IN BANKRUPTCY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 78, 22 September 1911, Page 2

IN BANKRUPTCY

AX AWAKING CONTRACTOR. A meeting of creditors in the estate of A. Ellesen, contractor of Awakino, was held at the office of the D.O.A. Mr. J. >S. 8. Medley, on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. J. E. Wilson represented Mrs. Govenlock, and Mr. A. It. Standish instructed by Messrs. Weston and Weston, appeared for the bankrupt.

The liabilities amounted to £2OO 6s and there were no assets. The list of unsecured creditors was as follows: Mary Aim Govenlock, widow administratrix of the estate of the late Thos. Govenlock, £133 Us 3d; Arthur Otwny, Auckland, £45 3s; G. Hartwell, engine. driver, Waitara, £29 Os 4d; J. Murray, cook, £ll 7s 4d; D. B. London, bookkeeper, £26 »s lid; H. G. Perrett, bushman, £0 as 8d; 11, O'Brien, Maori, £1 17s sd; Aitkenhcad, laborer, £7 Ids lid. Bankrupt's written statement was as follows:—In September, 1900, I took a contract from the West Coast Flaxmilling Company for shifting a flaxinill from Waikawa to Waipapa and re-erect-ing same. I had a partner, a man named Hey. He left me after about six weeks. Previous to taking this contract 1 had no debts. Engaged on contract from September, 1909, to August, 1910. I employed about live men on an average. Had mill almost re-built when a slip came down and damaged the building. The slip had to be cleared away and agreat part of the building re-built. Had about nine men engaged at this time and it took over six weeks to clear away the elip and repair the building. Owing to the slip I lost heavily on the contract and got into debt. After completing this contract 1 worked at the mill for about seven weeks on wages, but got nothing out of this as the money to come to me for wages was retained by Otway, manager of the mill, to liquidate accounts for stores which lie had guaranteed during my contract for shifting the mill. In February, 1911, I took a contract from the Government for forming part of the Waikawa Valley road. Had two mates on this jo!). Wo liiiiahed this contract about the end of April, 1011. ■ Since the beginning of May, 1911, I have made about £ls and keep from bushfelling on wages. 1 put my present position down to 'the loss I had nn the contract for shifting the llaxmill. Since I completed the contract 1 have been gradually improving my position and paying oil' my debts.'"My reason for filing is that my two largest creditors are pushing me. Had these creditors not have pushed mo 1 think I could have cleared oil' my present debts in about two years. 1 have no money or assets of any description. Mv total' liabilities are about £2OO.

There was not a quorum present, and the meeting lapsed. The D.O.A. examined the bankrupt as to his dealings, however, lie said he had no money when he took the. contract to shift the llaxmill. The contract price was £250. He was clear of debt when he look the contract. He calculated that lie had lost at the linish of the contract what he owed and his own labor. He had incurred no fresh debts since the contract, but had paid oft' some. He gut £SO from the West Coast Flaxmilling Company to pay wages, etc., hut not Govenlock's debt. There was no guarantee from the Flaxmilling Company to pa\- Govenlock's store bill. The goods he got from Govenlock's were for himself and the men. He got credit from the men for 70s a week board, but this did not pay. He had paid Govenlock's £7B. He did not have more than £2O or £25 out, of the contract himself. Since the contract had been finished he had been working in the bush, and might have made a little more than 30s a week. . I Mr. WiLson said he represented the ] largest creditors, and they were not hostile to the bankrupt if he would make j an effort to reduce his debt. j