LIBEL AND BANKRUPTCY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 213, 6 September 1907, Page 6

LIBEL AND BANKRUPTCY.

AN UNDEFENDED ACTION. I AND ITS SEQUEL. JBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. A meeting of creditors in the estate of St. George Ablett Dowsing, clerk, of Wellington, was held to-day. The statement filed by bankrupt showed liabilities (all unsecured) amounting to £72 7/6. There were no assets. The creditors were: M. Demuth, £67 15/; Te Aro House Drapery Company, £1 16/; George and George, £1 9/; and Dr. ■Eawson, £1 7/6. Bankrupt, in a sworn personal statement, said it was obvious that the cause of his bankruptcy was the judgment which. Demuth had -recently obtained against him in an action brought before the Supreme Court for alleged libel. "I did not defend tnat action," said bankrupt, "although I had ample defence. The exceptionally painful circumstances surrounding my defence, made it, to my mind—the mind of an Englishman—impossible for mc to place it before the Court. However, "while I do not desire to enter into further details here, I shall take my first opportunity to give the fullest information to you and my creditors, and afterwards to the judge when I ask for my discharge. I have no means to pay this judgment. I live ~n my salary, which is wholly absorbed by the needs of my family. I have no propelfty, and therefore nothing to satisfy the'judgment. The few small amounts included in my liabilities I should .have settled in the ordinary way I have done hitherto, but (When threatened by Messrs Skerrett and fWylie, solicitors for Demuth, that they were instructed to put a bailiff into my boose if their demand was not immediately satisfied, I had no alternative but io take the course I have taken." Bankrupt, examined on oath, said he was employed in the Land and Income Tax Department at 11/ a day and no .CBFertime. He had no offer to make. To Mr Blair: The filing fee had been lent him by a professional gentleman. He had seven children, three dependent upon him, their ages ranging from 17 to 20 years. They were girls. His wife had private property, and earned something as a teacher of music. His wife did not contribute to the household expenses. They were living in her property, and. his wife was paying off the mortgage. The meeting was adjourned until the Olth inst. The ease referred to above was before $he Supreme Court at Wellington recently. Michael Bee Demuth, the principal creditor in the estate, proceeded against Dowsing, claiming £400 for alleged libel and slander. Tho libel consisted of a statement made on December 12, 1906, •wherein Dowsing, speaking to Demuth's employer, made grave allegations against the latter, and demanded that Demuth should be dismissed from his employment. Judgment was given ■ for plaintiff for £50 and costs.