DISTRICT COURT

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3320, 27 September 1889, Page 2

DISTRICT COURT

(Before His Honor Judge Hobinson.) MASTERTON-THURSDAY, IN BANKRUPTCY, The public examination of Edward Taylerwas continued by Mr Bunny. Edward Taylor, on oath, deposed that he was adjudicated, on his own petition, a bankrupt on the 28th Juno. Ho failed because ho was pressed by his creditors. His unsecured liabilities amounted to £345 125, His reason for opening a shop was to dispose of his fruit. His wife principally attended to the business, which proved unprofitable, His wife's friends kept tho business open which she had carried on up to the present. The fruit business alone was not profitable,but was nmdo to pay with the assistance of a [registry office, which his wife had always liad charge of. At present lie was kept by his wifo. The average takings of tho shop amounted to about £l2 a week. During the first year he was in the fruit business in Master ton his premises at the nursery were destroyed. He took possession of the nursery at Masterton in March 1885. It was in July, 1887 wliou ho was burnt out, Never kept any books to show what business was done in the shop after the fire. Never thought it necessary to keep books after tho fire as tho business was supposed to bo a cash one, Tho book debts owing to witness at timo of filing amounted to £l9 10s 3d. In 188G the average takings was about £l2 to £ls, and expenses £7. Out of the first named amount all fruit received from Wellington had to be paid for, Tk business at the shop was a paying concern for the first two years. Lost £7OO or £BOO on the orchard in labor and improvements, Paid for the equity of redemption of tho orchard to Mr McOardle £7OO, leaving £790 to be paid on tho mortgage, Was perfectly solvent when ho went in for the property. Most of his expenses wero incurred on the property in the first year. His losses commenced in tho second year. Could not say what his wife's takings were now. If ho asked, she wouldnot tell him, He received no pay from his wife, only his keep. Ho was not satisfied with that way of living, Did not convoy tho Iruit from the Station, or in any way assist in tho conducting of Mrs Tayler's business, At present witness was employed on a property belonging to Mrs Tayler, The losses incurred in the second yoar was through witness having his leg broken. It was in tho third year he had tho misfortune to lose his horse, and his house was destroyed by fire. After these losses, he found his business going to tho bad. Did not think it singular that Mrs Taylor should take over the business, after he found it did not pay. His wifo was to assist him in the shop at a salary of 30s a week and found, This she nover received. His wife never had any means when he married her. Since tlion she had received monoy from her sister, but he could not say how much, Had never had any business transactions with Walter Smart. Could not say whether his wife had. His wifo had tho registry business over two yean beforo ho filed. He knew nothing about' her takings. His wifo never told him her business. Ho believed bis wifo gavo him all tho cash she took in the shop, She had the power of accounting or otherwise for all monies taken. Mrs Taylor never told him she bad a priyato banking account. This he found out • for himself. Don't know what Mrs' Tayler's charges were for engaging seivants. Most Of his creditors ltnew what position lio was in two yeapj ago.' Was working on the 'land-leased by Mrs Tayler on tho Bishop's reserve. Supposed Mrs Tayler found the monoy for what improvements hud been doiip to it. Jlrs'T. TJiopipsoi), of Queensland, was a sister of Mrs Tayler.' Tlu'.!'/i for whicli she was a creditor waf for money lent apd clpthes.supplied. Patience Tayler, wife of the bankrupt, said they had been married about 15 years, Prior to hoc husband's bankruptcy carried on business in the local fruit depot' for three years. It, was, not always a cash business. Nevef kept books since the law case wjtli Mr McC'ardie and her husband, Made'a n'olp'not to Go so because heV took was' bioiight forward'in

evidence, and she did not see why her private affairs should be made public. Had not kept any books since commencing, two months ago. Had no capital to start with. Could not tell what Taylor's takings were, The stock ms well kept up, It was two years since she started the registry office. Would not produco the book ns she considered it a perfectly private hook, After commencing the registry business she opened a banking account. Could not say whether the business was . good or bad. Tlio money paid into W

the bank account was from her business and presents. Got £lO from her sister as a present in April last and LI 2 twelve months sinco. That money alio banked. Remembered tlio house being burned down. Received a bos of things from her sister which

she purchased in Sydney. Could not eay the value. The liO was cash and goods, Tho money was lent to her husband when in Wellington. Witness was a creditor for £25 for a bill she paid to Brown and Rndgort out of her own money. Her Bank book was at her solicitors, and she would not produco it. Never consulted her husband when she took a lease of the Bishop's Reserve. Sent a deposit cliequo of £2lßs. Her husband had beon working on

the place, Had erected a shed at a cost of £lO, labor only. The timber cost her. i£l4, Took in horses to graze. Her time was fully, occupied h the shop. Had been keeping Taylor instead of him keeping her. The examination was adjourned.*