"LAYMAN'S MISTAKE."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 8

"LAYMAN'S MISTAKE."

IN BANKRUPTCY MATTER. NO ANSWER TO CHARGES. TOURIST AGENT CONVICTED. Hie troubles of Alan Stewart Blackie, tourist agent, of Auckland, who told his creditors at his second meeting in bankruptcy on July 13 last that "outside promoters and pirates in the tourist business tried to capitalise on his knowledge and generosity," are not yet at an end, for Blackie appeared before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., at the Police Court this morning on five charges under the Bankruptcy Act. Ihe Official Assignee, for whom Mr. V. N. Hubble appeared, prosecuted Blackie on five charges of, having been adjudged bankrupt on November 24, 1921, and before having obtained an order of discharge, he obtained credit. £87 18/ from Tonson, Garlick, Ltd.; £60 from Gladys Ethel Nicholson, £225 from Elizabeth Moore, £31 from George Fowlds, Ltd., and £27 11/6 from Daniel Henry Poe, without having informed them that he was an undischarged bankrupt. Blackie pleaded guilty. Mr. Hubble said Blackie had gone djuikrupt in Hamilton in 19)21, and that the debts proved there totalled £784. At the time of th© bankruptcy he was convicted on three charges relating to three of the debts proved in Hamilton bankruptcy proceedings, and he was placed on three years' probation .and ordered to make restitution to two of the creditors for a total of £307. This had been paid by the end of December, 1924, tajt the other creditors in the Tlamiltoii bankruptcy had not received anything. ( ounsel then read Blackie's statement, of the causes of his present bankruptcy, he having been adjudicated a bankrupt a?ain on .Tune 29, 1928. The causes of his present bankruptcy were attributed to tlie failure of a number of tourist enterprises. His present bankruptcy debts proved over £500, and of the assets shown bv bankrupt. £3.»0 was owing to hiin by National Tours. Ltd., but. this would nrobablv realise nothing. In anv e : isc. said Mr. Hubble, the assets that did eventuate in the present bankruptcy would nr<> fo fi lL , creditors in the Hani'lton bankruptcy. Already Blackie had been on probation for three years, and be inu<t have known that he was an undischarged bankrupt. Mr. Beattic. fur accused, said Blackie had been under the impression that when his term <>f probation expired he was fn>" from all bis obligations, and s > lie ditl not apply for bis discharge. Tt was a mistake, counsel said, that anv lavman i<> bankruptcy law might, make. IMa.ekie had several opportunities of cnira'/ement from people who required In* service ■" in tlie tourist business. While on probation ltis conduct bad been cvenmlary. K<>:-cntlv lie bad worked ''.-■rd and bad been industrious, paving few of bis debts. Tm nskill?.' ' 'at "ce'ise l >liou'd be <riv»n t'le bene- '■ i ' i i >; ij!i. Vr. ReaM"' said that t vi-ii'i 1 In. letter for everyone con"cined if nia-kie was "i\en tills op e./"" i"• ji \- Oif keeping faith with his creditors. 7'l'e PW'isf r-'e. Mr. \V. V. M •K-viii s"id Mr. Benzie's exnlination was not an answer t 0 the present char es r.'.aiml Ihowever. bis Wo-s'iii, con« : 'Vre 1 it r •rice in wbi-h the n r ,•b- 1 ; r„, oIV. -er voiil.l '•eve to be CilUllllpl. before tb> Of flie pemltv. Tn order t.hat this nv-ht I*' d'MIP. Accused was i ."M'-Pilcl ♦o !Ilinear to-morrow mornimr. '-lil bein-j •i'lowed.