MEETING OF CREDITORS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 166, 16 July 1898, Page 3

MEETING OF CREDITORS.

A meeting of creditors of H. W. Mitchell, surveyor, was held yesterday afternoon, the Official Assignee presiding. There were present: Messrs E. T. Dufaur, A. Brock, H. M. Oervis, Harding, Sykes, -J. H. Taylor and C. E. McCormick. Mr Dufaur, as solicitor for the Official Assignee and creditors, explained that the meeting was called to consider the'position taken up by the Government in refusing to pay the costs incurred by the estate in registering the charging orders and offering the blocks on the East Coast for sale over which the orders ■ had been obtained. He said that long prior to these steps beins: taken the Hans had been offered to the Government, and that before any expense had been incurred by the estate, notice'^ had been given to the Native Minister of the intention of the Official Assignee to offer the blocks for sale. .He said, that no notice had been taken' by the Government until all the expenses had been incurred, and the Government then moved three days before the day of sale. A very large part of the costs consisted of moneys paid into the Native Laid Court, Transfer Office and Stamp Office, and the sale was stopped on an undertaking given by the Auckland Crown Solicitor in writing (on behalf of the Department) that the principal interest and costs would be paid. On the matter being referred to Mr Cadman when he was in Auckland he requested that a full statement of the facts be forwarded to him. This statement he referred to the Minister for Lands, who had telegraphed that he did not propose to take any action thereon. The matter was considered by the creditors, who resolved, that as Mr liufaur was proceeding to Wellington on other business he should interview the Government authorities on the Avhole matter, and, provided satisfaction be not obtained, that the matter be taken to the Supreme Court to test the validity of the instructions given to the District Land Registrar. Subsequently a meeting of creditors «f O. M. Creagh, surveyor, was held. The

questions in both estates being identical, the same resolution was adopted. The meeting then adjourned until Ist August.