JOSEPH PARTINGTON'S BANKRUPTCY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 74, 29 March 1899, Page 5

JOSEPH PARTINGTON'S BANKRUPTCY.

A rather unusual course was taken by a witness to-day, and, so far as we can learn, it is only the second occasion such a thing has happened in Auckland. A Avornan named Fanny Dynes was summoned to attend at the Official Assignee's office to give evidence in the matter of Joseph Partington's bankruptcy. She refused, and Mr Theo. Cooper consequently applied to His Honor Mr Justice Couolly for an order for her arrest and this was grarfted. The woman was arrested yesterday afternoon and placed in the custody of the gaoler. At two o'clock Miss Dynes wns brought to th,e Supreme Court by Mr Reston and Mrs Maher, the matron. Mr Cooper appeared for the Official Assignee, Mr Colbeck. for Miss Dynes, and Mr Reed to watch the case on be« half of Mr Partington, the bankrupt. His Honor said he was doubtful if Mr Partington had any locus standi. Mr Reed said there might be statements made affecting the bankrupt. Mr Cooper then examined Miss Dynes on oath. ' ■ Frances Dynes deposed that she had been housekeeper for Mr Joseph Partington for nineteen years and she claimed the whole of Mr Parting'ton'g estate. She bought it last March. Sim bougth everything- Mr Parting- possessed for £200, and she also gave him £20 for mining shares. She bought the estate because Mr Partington was going to England. However, he did not go. Witness paid for the estate £60 in March, 189S, there was £20 due to her for wages at the same time, which made £80. The next payment was £20 in August, 1898, which made £100. She paid £50 next, also in the month of August, making £150. The next payment was £50, and also £20 for snares, all in August. Some of the payments were made in the sit-ting-room at Mr Partington's house. This was the first money. The next sum was paid in the sitting-room, also the two other sums of £50 were paid in the office of Mr Reed, Solicitor. She thought the £22 was paid in the house. Her sister, Jessie. Dynes, was present when the payments w^ere made in the sitting-room. Sbs could not give the actual dates when the amounts were paid. Witness said she saved the money and kept it in an iron box. Her first payment was made from this box and she had some left in it yet. Her sister also gave her £75; she still had got the £75. ! She kept about £300 in the iron box;; it was her savings from her wages. She kept no bank account. She got £1 per week for her services, and Mr Partington supplied the house. She had got £1 per week ever since being in Mr Partington's house. All of the monej-s she paid came out of the iron box. Witness was further examined as to her purchase of the business of Mr Partington, and who managed it. The purchase, she said, took place in March. Mr Partington kept the book 9 and managed the business for her. She kept no bank account after she went into business. Various deeds and assignments were then put in by Mr Cooper. . Witness said she bought the business because she liked it;..and Mr Partington wanted the mouey to go to England. She did not know at this time of Mr Partington being engaged in litigation, but she did know of the dispute between Partington and Wilkinson. did not know how much money-was at present in her little box. f (Proceeding.)