GEORGE HYATT'S CREDITORS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 250, 21 October 1891, Page 5

GEORGE HYATT'S CREDITORS.

A LIVELY MEETING.

Theee was a rather interesting encounter between George Hyafct, a man of colour, carrying on business as a hairdresser a& Onehunga, and his creditors ab the office of the Official Assignee thie morning. There were present, beside tho debtor, the following creditors :—Messrs Hammond (representing self, Messrs Brooking, Moody, and Morris), Keesing, Parnell, Balfe and Brookfield—representing debts amounting to about £125. The assets were stated to include £40 book debts, estimated to produce £5, and furniture valued at about £20.

In cross-examination by various creditors the debtor stated that one time he made about £3. as a hairdresser in Onehunga, but recent opposition in the business had reduced his income by £2 per week. Hβ further admitted to clearing about £3 or £4 per week from the sale of newspapers, but could not see his way to make any offer towards payment of his debts.

Mr Brookfield 9aid the debtor had paid rent for a house a part from his shop, sent) his children to a private school, and lived in a very extravagant manner.

The debtor characterised this assertion as absolutely untruthful, and added thab when the fire took place at his place they lost everything except the clothes they stood in. Subsequently he asserted that ib cost himself and family about £2 per week to live, and thab they paid 9s per week rent for the shop and dwelling house they now occupied.

Mr Parnell thought ib scandalous thab the debtor should be sending his children to a private school while they could be educated at the State schools free 6£ cost.

The debtor, in reply, urged that the cosb was trifling, and that his wife had a small business of her own in the sale of cakes, lollies, etc.

Having been challenged to stato by which creditors he was pressed, he (debtor) named Mr Brookfield for £3 and Mr Mosely for £16, whereupon it was pointed out that his filing would cost £10, that this would have satisfied the pressing creditors and thab the others were prepared to wait. The debtor charged Mr Parnell with having stated at Onehunga bhab he would oust the debtor from his store.

Mr Parnell: "Ideny that." Asked whether he was not still agent for the Stae, the.debtor said the agency had been taken from him, and upon being further pressed he admitted that it had only been transferred to his wife.

Mr Parnell thereupon observed: "You have shown a deal of cunning and a deal of depth, for which I. give you credib." Mr Lawson thought tho debtor should offer at least £1 per week to pay his debts off in full.

The debtor insisted that he was nob in>a posibion to do so.

Mr Lawson : " Well, you have been given a chance to do the honesb thing." The Official Assignee further informed the debtor that he should also get his children educated at the public school. Mr Parnell- moved, and Mr Keesine seconded, " Thab the creditors agree to accept 2(te per week from the bankrupt, in liquidation of their claims until paid," and this proposal was carried by 5 to 1, representing £97, as against £39. ■ Mr Laweon stated thab he would have some talk with the debtor privately and thab if the debtor could not see his way to conform to the resolution, he (the Assignee) would have to take other steps. The meeting then terminated.

At 12.40 p.m. to-day Captain Edwin wired :—" Norfeh-wesb bo wesb and south gale with rain and much colder weather within twelve hours from now. Glasa rising - ."