FRANCIS STEPHENS BANKRUPTCY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 300, 18 December 1895, Page 2

FRANCIS STEPHENS BANKRUPTCY.

MEETING OF CREDITORS,

A first meeting of creditors of Francis •Stephens, bootmaker, was held yesterday afternoon attho office of thoOfficial'Aasignee. Present: Tho debtor and the following eraditore:-A. O'Neill, G. Foster, Fleming, Stichbury, Hodgson (Northern Boob Company), G. Cozens, Green (Parker, Groen and Co.), Thos. Buddie (J. Cooper and Sons), McVeagh (Mrs Stephens), Ramsay, Rowley (for Joseph Barber), Young, Moses. The sworn statemenb of the debtor was read, showing thab his total liability amounted to £3,475. About 12 months ago he gave a bill of salo over his etock in trade and housohold furniture, and renewed it in July last. Tho goods wore seized, and a portion sold by auction. All of the etock was seized and taken away.

A discussion took place as to the goods seized, and if the seizure was valid. Mr Lawsop said bis solicitor advised him the seizure under bill of sale waß a perfectly legitimate one. It was agreed that the Official A?eignee be authorised to surrendor the lease to bho landlord with the fixtures as provided by tho lease, and that dobtor be given the tools and lasts in his workshop, subjecb to tho bill of sale claim.

Ib was furbher resolved: "That the Official Assignee instruct his solicitor to look into tho bill of sale for tho purpose of testing the right of the holder taking possession of the goods." Ib wa>i arranged that the debtor should be summoned to appear at the Official Aseignee's office thie afternoon for farther ox&mination by Mr Lawson, assisted by Mo&srs Fleming and Davis.