A MISSING BANKRUPT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 149, 24 June 1911, Page 11

A MISSING BANKRUPT.

JOHN" TIPPER'S AFFAIRS. " WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST. A meeting of creditors in the estate of John Tipper, motor engineer, late of Quay-street, whose whereabouts are at- present unknown, -seas held by the Official Assignee, Mr. W. S. Fisher, yesterday afternoon.- The Assignee presided, . and there -were also present-r-Messrs. H. Duncan (John Chambers and Sons and United Asbestos Co.), J. Carlaw (Cousins and Atkin), W. T. Davis (A. W. Anderson and New Zealand Typewriter Supply Co.), W. C. Russell (Continental P. and G. Rubber Co.), Ferguson (J. Burns and Co., Ltd.), J. C. Colbeck (solicitor for F. E. Woodroffe and Co., Ltd.), J. H. Gregory (solicitor for petitioning creditors). The Assignee said the bankrupt was not present. He had no statement to put before them. There was no schedule of assets and liabilities, and no statement as to the cause of bankruptcy. He had obtained a statement from Mr. Davis, who had some knowledge of the business after the fire which occurred on March 10, 1911. There was little hope of realising much in the way of assets. At the private meeting of creditors Mr. Gregory was instructed to take proceedings to have Tipper adjudicated a bankrupt. Proceedings were taken the next day, and a warrant issued for Tipper's arrest, but they had not been successful in getting hold of him. He was now adjudicated a bankrupt. He could not see anywhere assets in this estate except a partly burned machine, and the goods in garage in Wakefield-street. After the fire he had received an engagement ring from a lady unknown to him.

In his report Mr. Davis stated that he became acquainted with Tipper after the fire in March last, when he was called in to adjust the business, and act as financial adviser, etc. Tipper received from the Royal Exchange Insurance Co. £359. Other insurances had not been paid. Tipper left him an order for payment of an insurance on a car placed to his (Tipper's) account. No payment had so far been made. The books required investigating and making up. He could not make out a proper balance-sheet owing to the absence of details in the books.

In reply to the Assignee, Mr. Davis said he noticed there were no cash and tank books. There was only a ledsmr, which was not at all up-to-date. The books were in a. most disgraceful state, and Tipper never gave him anything to go on. As far as he knew there wore no assets except what was in the garage, possible claims, and two motor cars.

The Assignee stated that before lie left. Tipper drew £450 from the bank, and he appeared to have received another £100, but this may have been, included in the larger amount. The £450 certainly included the insurance money. A creditor stated he knew of another £100 which Tipper had received. The Assignee said that if he could pet enough out of the estate to defray the costs of the bankruptcy he would be satisfied. They might then be able to see their way to contest some of the otlier claims. On the motion of Mr. Col'beck, it was decided to instruct the Assignee to dispose of the assets by private sale, if ho thought fit. The Assismee was also instructed to go into the question of contesting, certain private claims.