MEETING OF CREDITORS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 21, 26 January 1892, Page 5

MEETING OF CREDITORS.

EBENEZER C. EARLE'S BANK-

RUPTCY,

THE BANKRUPT TO BE PUBLICLY

EXAMINED,

An adjourned meeting of creditors in the estate of Ebenezer C. Earle was held ab the office of the Official Assignee to-day. There wore present, the debtor and his solicitor (Mr Hammond), and creditors, Messrs J. C. Morrin (Auleobrook and Co.), Jno. Earle, Hammond (for Dr. Scott), Bycrofr, Neill (Laxon, Neill, and Co.), Wm. Earle (for Condon), J. P. Campbell (representing the creditors). The debtor, under examination upon onth, said the cashbook (produced) was partially destroyed by tire about the begiuning of December last in his office. A lot of papers, besides, were destroyed, also counter books. The tire took place about 8.30 p.m. Sergeant Greene discovered the fire.' Hβ could nob say what caused it), bub the police had an idea how it) was caused. He was nob on the premises at the time. There was no way of accounting for the missing books, except by the fire, and then being taken away. The partially burned cashbook (produced) had the last entry on November 23rd, 1891. Preceding entries on the same page were for October, 1891. Before that again the last entry waa November 21st, 1891. The entries from November 21sb to date of the fire, about December 23rd, were nob made in the cashbook, but were posted in the ledger. There wero no remains of the counter books after the fire, so far as he knew. He continued to sellafter the fire, and such saleswereeutered as they occurred in the day-book produced. He believed these entries were made at the time of the sales, bub would not swear they were. He could nob explain the absence of two leaves from the burned cashbook opposite the entry of November 28th, 1891. An account marked " B " wao in his handwriting, and against Nelson, to whom he gave the sale note. He had transactions with a man named Nelson ab Awitu. Believed ho sold Nelson a large parcel of goods on December 16th, 1891. The approximate value of these goods was £4 12s, without the case of " goods " and " parcels." He did nob recollect what these were. Could nob explain why these were nob charged out in the daybooK. Hβ knew N. P. Wells, Awitu. Could not see that he sent him (the debtor) a quantity of cheese before he filed. The last cheese received from Welle was on 26th November, viz., 3951 bs cheese and 621bs bacon. Mr Heather's goods, £68 14a sd, were taken into stock on the 30th November ; he would not swear they were. He could not say where the November stock list was. Mr Heather's accounts for £15 3s 6d and £4 7s 6d were received as dated. All the goods referred to were bought on credit. The piano waa paid for by his wife, it might be out of his wages, in monthly payments. In answer to Mr Hammond, the debtor stated that the December books were more likely to be burned than tha other books. He had no idea of bankruptcy when he got goods from Mr Heather on December 15th. Mr John Earle said it was absurd to make euch an assertion in the face of the fact that on December 14th he had ceased to hand over his takings. He was surprised and disgusted at the tactics the debtor had adopted. Mr Caampbell moved as proxy for Meesrs Jj. D. Nathan and Co. " That it is desirable the bankrupb be publicly examined." The examination wae the most unsatisfactory he had ever had anything to do with.

Mr J. Bycrofb seconded the motion, which was carried.