CONTEMPT OF COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 75, 28 March 1924, Page 3

CONTEMPT OF COURT.

INFORMATION WITHHELD.

BANKRUPT SENT TO PRISON

An order was sought in the Supreme Court (bankruptcy jurisdiction) to-day by Mr. Paterson, representing the Official Assignee, for the committal to prison of William Standish, a bankrupt, for contempt of CourtMr. Pateraon declared that bankrupt had done nothing whatever since tlie last bankruptcy sitting in regard to supplying the Official Assignee with the particulars required under the Act. When the matter was formerly before the Court, said counsel, his Honor had intimated that if nothing were done he would commit bankrupt to prison. The accountant, who had investigated bankrupt's affairs, reported that bankrupt had failed t:> call on him when requested to do so. Evidence was given by the Official Assignee, Mr. W. S. ' Fisher, that Standleh was adjudged bankrupt in December, 1922.

His Honor inquired what was the act of contempt. Mr. Paterson said that Standish had not supplied the particulars he was required to furnish under the Act. Alter the adjudication, said the Oliicia}Assignee,. Standish disappeared for a year or eighteen months. Finally, he was discovered at Auckland, and served. ■When he cajne before the Court, he said a large part of his business transactions had been conducted by country solicitors, and that until he could get information from them he could not supply the information required. That sort of thing had been going on since November last. Standish had continually promised to supply information, but had not dove so.

His Honor observed that every opportunity had been given bankrupt to appear in Court and furnish information, but he had defied the Court and the Official Assignee.

Bankrupt was committed to prison for a period, not to exceed three, months.