A BANKRUPT ESTATE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 224, 20 March 1912, Page 7

A BANKRUPT ESTATE

MEETING OF CREDITORS. A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of Dr. H. A. 11. Claridge. of New Plymouth, was held yesterday afternoon at the office of Mr. J. S. S. Medley. Ten creditors were present. Bankrupt has debts owing to unsecured creditors to the amount of £38!) lfls lid. His assets include book debts to the amount of £SOO 19s (id, estimated to produce £3OO. and furniture and motor cycle (£3O). There was a deficiency of £l4 18s lid. In his statement bankrupt said that he came to • Waitara from Waihi in March, 1908. At that time he was in debt, and hoped to be able to cover his responsibilities in a short time. He did not, however, meet with the support he was led to believe he would get. Almost immediately pressure was put on him, and most of his earnings went to pay demands. He was doing fairly well in 1909, when unfortunately he broke his leg, which practically laid him up for six months. On returning to work he found he had to start again, as opposition had eoriM! in during his disablement, which was being pushed very hard against him. He struggled on, and was doing fairly well, but still paying off debts. He was advised to come to New Plymouth, which move, however, he now found to have been a mistake. He owed Mr. Ogle £.51 odd for lodge dispensary, and he stopped his credit. This got noised about, with the result that other creditors commenced to urge their claims. Subsequently he filed, on the advice of his solicitor. Questioned by creditors, Dr. Claridge said he was not insolvent when he came to Waitara. At present he was unable to, make an offer. 'Some £2OO of his book debts had been incurred at Waihi. According to the Assignee it was not anticipated that the estate would pay a very large dividend. The meeting decided to realise his assets, and that the furniture be handed back to bankrupt's wife. Creditors expressed sympathy with Dr. Claridge, who was represented by Mr. J. E. Wilson.