BANKRUPT BRICKLAYER.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1922, Page 8

BANKRUPT BRICKLAYER.

WET WEATHER CONTRIBUTES. A man to whom he owed wages was the only creditor who put in an appearance at a meeting called for yesterday in the bankrupt estate of Thomas Henry Hutton, bricklayer, of New Plymouth. The meeting therefore lapsed for want of a quorum, but. the bankrupt was examined by the D.O.A. (Mr. J. S. S. Medley). The financial statement showed liabilities owing to unsecured credit to the extent of £79 19s 3d. There were no assets. The unsecured creditors were: T. Richards, hotelkeeper, Palmerston North, £32; C. Woods, farmer, Christchurch, £10; F. Hawke, New Plymouth, £2O; H. W. S. Hamilton, laborer, Fitzroy. £l7 19s 3d; total £79 19s 3d. '

“I returned from the war in March, 1919,” wrote the bankrupt in a statement. “I was an out-patient for two months, after which 1 was discharged. I was unable to work for six months, after which I commenced work in Palmerston North, but owing to weakness I was unable to work full time. I worked in Palmerton till the end o£, 1921, leaving there after being out of work for two months, after which I came to New Plymouth. After five weeks I found employment, since when 1 have worked here. I was two months out of work. I put my failure down to wet weather and waiting for material. The D.O.A. said the claim of H. W. S. Hutchinson was for wages, and would, of course, be treated preferentially if there was any money in the estate.

Examined under oath, the bankrupt said he was a married man but had no children. As New Plymouth did not agree with his wife’s health she was living with friends at Palmerston North while he boarded at New Plymouth. He had no furniture. The last job he had was one in Record Street, Fitzroy, which he finished last Friday. He got £5. for that job, but did not pay Hamilton, who was working with him, as the latter said he was not in a hurry. Therefore, he paid his own -board and sent some money to h's wife. During the last five months he had earned about £7O, which went in wages and his wife’s keep. He had no books and no banking accounts. D.0.A.: “You can see that there is nothing then to verify these transactions?” Bankrupt: “Well, I can safely say all I have is what I stand up in.” Hutton also stated that one of his creditors, Richards, to whom he owed board, had obtained a judgment summons against him and had him arrested. If it had not been for that he was practically sure he could have paid up everything within three months. He could pay Hamilton his wages, but it would take time. He was quite willing to pay Hamilton back the money at the rate of 10s a week, or more if possible, as he did not wish Hamilton to lose his wages. Continuing, bankrupt said he had disclosed all his assets. He thought he could manage to send £3 a week to his wife, pay his own board and pay back 10s a week Io Hamilton. This offer was accepted accordingly. The proceedings then terminated,