FOREIGNER GOES BANKRUPT.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 194, 14 August 1920, Page 7

FOREIGNER GOES BANKRUPT.

An examination into the affairs of one Joseph 'Frederick John Zemanek, settler, of St. Helior's Bay, was held at the office of the Official Assignee in bankruptcy, Mr. W. S. Fisher, yesterday aiternoon. No formal meeting of creditors could be held, as creditors had not been notified of the meeting. Mr. N. P. Wyatt appeared 'on behalf of important creditors in the ease. 'From information supplied by the bankrupt, Air. Fisher staged that the amount owing to unsecured creditors was £718 3/0. He had no assets whatever, nor any real estate. The (bankrupt stated that he had been unable to obtain a position on account of the war and of a nervous breakdown that he had had. 'In response to questions, he admitted that Ire was a Czeoho-Slova'k, and had been interned for a month during the war. He went on to say early in 1918 a friend of his, Miss E. H. Dustow, took pity on him and decided to purchase a farm. The farm was sold to her on the agreement that he would work and improve it. He had personally arranged with merchants- to supply him with all things to work the farm. The vendor of the farm sent him to various merchants to obtain goods on credit, and he (the vendor) paid some of the accounts when they became overdue, in some eases to the tune of more than £■200, and in another case nearly £100. He paid the accounts while 'he held the mortgage. In January, 1920, Miss Dustow succeeded in selling the farm, and •he at last succeeded, to establish a business for Miss Dirstow, acting as manager. His wife was the biggest creditor for maintenance, which had not been paid. Mr. J. F. W. Dickson, who appeared on behalf Of the petitioning creditors, oslced, "Did you trade in Miss (Dustow's name because your own name 'had a foreign taint?" This the bankrupt emphatically denied, stating that he was manager for Mi-ss Dustow only. A meeting of creditors is to be called at a later date.