THE SUTHERLAND BANKRUPTCY CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 194, 15 August 1904, Page 2

THE SUTHERLAND BANKRUPTCY CASE.

PEISONER PLEADS-GUILTY. James Sutherland, formerly proprietor of the well-known boot shop in Queenstreet, was confronted in the Auckland Supreme Court this morning with a list of indictments for breaches of the bankruptcy laws. The accused had been out on bail. The charges were arranged in eight counts, namely:—(l) That the accused, adjudged a bankrupt on December 21 last did within three years before filing (in February, 1902, and May, 1903) obtain goods to the value of £279 13/4 by false pretences from George Alexander Coles. Frank Jagger and Alexander Henry Walker; (2) obtained credit to the above stated amount by a false statement of his affairs on July 15, and had not paid, for the goods; (3) between July 15 and November 19, 1903, obtained credit to the amount of £179 3/9 by a false statement of his affairs from the Northern Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company, and had not paid for the goods so obtained; (4) contracted debts to the amount of £100 7/9 with the Northern Boot Manufacturing Company between September 21 and November 19, 1903, when he could not have had any reasonable expectation of being able to pay these and his other debts; (5) between July 15 and Noveml"";r 19, 1903, obtained credit for the goods concerned in these debts of £100 7/9 by false pretences; (6) about May 18, 1903, obtained goods to the value of £13 10/ on credit by false pretences from Messrs Sargood and Thomas Fmlayson, and had not paid for them; (7) failed to keep such books or accounts as were usual in businesses like his; (8) on July 15, 1903, made false representations for the purpose of obtaining the consent of his creditors to an arrangement with reference to his affairs; (9) became bankrupt through rash and hazardous speculation. Prisoner pleaded guUty to clauses 3 to 8 of the indictment inclusive. The Crown Prosecutor (Hnn. J. A. Tole) said he would accept this plea. A jury was then empt-nnelled to acquit the accused on clauses 1, 2 and 9. Sentence on the others was deferred till next Monday, when the Probation Officer will report on accused's earlier career.