BANKRUPT CHINESE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 152, 11 April 1929, Page 2

BANKRUPT CHINESE

EXCEPTION TO THE RULE.

CREDITORS ALLEGE FRAUD.

(Special to the "Guardian "> DUNJ3DIN, April 10.

' When the affairs of Kum Yeon Lee, alias AVilliam Chan, storekeeper, were investigated by his creditors this afternoon, it was pointedly suggested by his creditors that he provided an exception to the rule that Chinamen are generally honest. Indeed, one creditor went so far asi to say that Chan had "taken them down pretty badly." The bankrupt's assets were set down at £l2, and the amount owing to unsecured creditors was pjust over £4OO. ! "How did you get all these people give you credit?" asked the Official Assignee, Mr J. M. Adam, after bankrupt's statement had been read. J Bankrupt replied that it was because his father, who was an honouriable man, was known to business people of Dunedin. The Assignee said that most Chinamen were honourable in regard to money matters. Bankrupt had been in business in Dunedin only three months, and had gone back £4OO. Mr F. Z. Moore, who represented

some of the creditors, said that the bankrupt had represented himself as an Oxford man, and a member of a club in London. He said he owned 13 shops in the North Island, and had come to Dunedin with references. These references, however, belonged to his father. Bankrupt had stayed at the Club Hotel with a woman, a child, and a nurse. He had come into dinner late, in great style, looking like a mandarin. Bankrupt said he had never gone bankrupt before. If the creditors would wait he would see if his countrymen (would do anything for him. He did (not wish to defraud anybody. j Mr R. Cuddie said it appeared that i bankrupt had taken them down pretty badly. He would move: "That the Official Assignee communicate with the Crown Prosecutor with a view to taking action against the bankrupt for obtaining goods by false pretences, for reckless trading, or on any indictment he may think advisable." The Assignee said it was really a matter for the police. Mr Moore said the police had the matter in hand. It was stated that if the creditors would sign an information, the police would proceed. Mr Mooney, representing Butterworth Bros., said the bankrupt had got £l5O worth of goods from his firm from January 31 to March 1. Chan had posed as a sort of Pooh Bah or Father Christmas among the Chinese people. Chan had rather impressed the firm. | Mr Cuddie's motion was • then put J and carried without dissent. j