DISTRICT COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5210, 18 December 1895, Page 3

DISTRICT COURT.

MASTERTON-TUESDAY.

IN BANKRUPTCY.

(Before His Honor District Judge Kettle),

Tliepublicexaminution of Frederick James Donovan took place yesterday afternoon. Mr Potvuall appeared for debtor and Mr Bunny for the Deputy Official Assignee (Mr W. B. Cliennells). Creditors were represented by Messrs W, G, Beard and I{, Acheson,

Counsel pointed out fcbat debtor bad been prosecuted on threeseparate charges, but no conviction had been made.

The Official Assignee said the estate would pay three shillings in the pound. . Debtor said that since his bankruptcy he had earned certain monies out of which he had paid £9 for wages, and the balance had gone in law expenses.

His Honor assumed that tho Magistrate had acquitted the bankrupt of the charges laid, but had not acquitted him of misconduct. His Honor bad very strong opinions on the bankrupt's conduct, Ho considered this was a case in which the application should be adjourned, to enable the bankrupt to do what ho could towards paying his creditors something in tho pound The application would therefore be adjourned for twelve months, with permission to bring tho application for discharge on sooner if propor notico be given.

WILLIAM SKILL. I William Neill, bankrupt, came up for public examination. Mr Pownall appeared for debtor and Mr Beard for certain creditors. William Neill, sworn, said he was adjudged a bankrupt on the application of Mrs Wagg. He furnished the Official Assignee with the statement produced, showing total liabilities of £538 5s and assets £225,. He had no other property outside : that stated, His statement showed private debts as well as tho debts of Keeblc and Co, Went into partnership with Keeble about 18 months ago. His liabilities at that tip werp tljo same as at the time he filed excepting what ho had ineurredsince, His assets consisted of a mortgage of £l5O on livery plant from Weller Bros. He also owned a house which was mortgaged to the Greytown Building Society. Had carried on business about three years before going into partnership with Keoble, The business paid well before he sold opt' to Weller' Bros.,' and he made money at it. He made a composiwith 'his creditors, excepting Mrs Wagg and a Mr McKenzie, about two years ago. During the last two years ho had been out of work. He was waiting for a settlement from the Wellers before he could go into business. The sum he sold out to Woller Bros, forwas £1,050.

To Mi' Beard: He valued his house at £4OO, He had a mortgago on it of £245. He offered it for sale at £350. Could npt get that aniount for it in cash. All his furniture whjph belonged to him was sold, ancl that lyhieh was theirp now belonged tp his wife, Sppie of the furniture had been purchased by him but on his wife's account. He would swear that no other furniture than linoleum had been purchased by him. His wifehad no priyateestato. When ho married Lis wife had money of her own. She had £2O, but he could npt say she hadj£so. He had be&n married about ten years. He did not think the furniture would fetch more than £4O, Hia wife purchased the piano for about £SO. It wag all paid except about £ls. Mrs Neill paid for it herself. A judgment was obtained against Keeble and Co. by Simms and Mowlem, and Mrs Noill gave the piano as security for tho debt of £35 or £4O, Simms and Mowlem com-] pleted the payments on the piano.] The furniture was in the house which he occupied. Mrs Neill pur. fihrised • the- furnituro in her name, 1 Mm Neill had' not' given security over the furniture;' 'About two'or three years ajeo • he. give l se'ciirity ovei'tne ftirnitiire to Mi 'Vallance, wjth his wife's consent; It was

treated by him as Lis absolute propoi'ty. Had novor previously given , security over the furniture. He had no money when ho wentinto partnership with Mr Keeble. He raised £2ao from Mr Vallance on tbo security of livery plant and furniture, He paid £l5O to Mr Gawitli. His debts at that time wero over £SOO. Mr Gawitli paid back £2O out of the £l5O. He did not file at that time, as he could then seo Mb way clear to pay his debts. Shortly before this ho had made an arrangement to pay his creditors 5s or 10a in the £. He had nothing but the security given to MrVallance, except his book debts. After ho went into partnership with Keeble, ho had raised money on accommodation bills. He had raised £2O from Mr Keith; £3O or £35 from the Wellington Loan Compauy; £35 from Mrs Wagg. He exchanged bills with Mrs Wagg. The firm of Keeblo aud Co. had no liabilities when they commenced, During the twelve months the firm lost £193, against winch thoy had only the book debts, Arthur Burling and A. MoKenzie guaranteed £4OO for him to the Bank. They were called upon to i pay the account. He paid A. Mc- j Kouzie part of his account, and Burling was paid by contra. His contra " with Burling was on account of . several sums of money advanced by j 3 him to Burling This was about fourteen years ago. There were uo books kept in those days, This was settled after he made the composition with his creditors. No receipts were passed for payment. His books were all burnt at -Mr D'Arcy's fire Had kept bookssinco, , Just after his bankruptcy lie had sold a horse in his wife's namo.

To Mr Beard: He had beon doing no work since his bankruptcy, Ho was occupying a house in Wellington and paying £1 per week. He was keeping a boarding-house, had two lodgers at presont, Did not know what the lodgers were paying. Mi's Wagg's account had been owing about ton years, for which bills had subsequently been given. The examination was declared closed.