A FRESH START

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19879, 7 May 1936, Page 2

A FRESH START

NEW ZEALAND BANKRUPT. PIITINDED I'o II DIOWNID. LEFT CLOTHES ON BEACH. Omtoa Press Assn—filer. Tel. Copyright. SYDNEY, May 6. Hector George Thlrkell, who was examined in bankruplry in Sydney lo—day, denied a suggestion that he had pretended he had been drowned in New Zealand to enable him to escape from his wife. "My reason was to get out of New Zealnnd and to make x 1 fresh start.“ he said. 'l'hirkell arrived in Australia in 1933, His estate was sequesll‘ated in March last year, his liabilities being £SOOO. Questioned about, the “drowning" incident in New Zealand. 'i‘hirlzrll said he went for a swim at New Brighton. Ghrlstchurvh. and left his old Clothes on the bearh. He went ashore at another spot where he had secreted a new outllt. That. night. he left. for Auckland and thence for Sydney. Thlrkell said he “as reported lyy the New Zenlnnd press to have been drowned. and subsequently leave was sought. in Court to presume his death. This he managed lo slop through friends in New Zeaiand. He added that he did not attempt. in conceal the {not that. he was in Australia.

"il‘rhrefi eXamifiallon pt Thirkell was Adjourned.

The clothing 0! a man, subsequently "jammed as belculging lo Hector George Thirkell. manager 01' the Richmond Butter Company. Wellington. was founnl on lhe‘beao‘h at New Bl‘lglltan, Christchurch, In February. 1933. Later, when Thirkell's name was called In the Supreme Court at Well—luston In connection with an application lor discharge from bankrupmy it was stated that he was understood to have been drowned.