DISASTROUS FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 214, 10 September 1928, Page 5

DISASTROUS FIRE.

THAMES HAIRDRESSER'S FAILURE. The bankruptcy of James Hogg, hairdresser and tobacconist, whose creditors met in Auckland to-day, was stated to be due to a fire which entirely destroyed his shop and stock in trade. The claims of unsecured creditors amounted to £597 9/, those of secured creditors to £176, and there was a deficiency of £211 9/. Debtor said he served, for four years in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and returned in 1919. The following year he started business at Thames, paying £650, a veVy reasonable price, for the property. He had a capital of £100 of his own and borrowed £250 (since repaid in full) from the repatriation funds, and raised a mortgage on the property. . He did well until July of this year, when the shop and stock were destroyed by fire. He received only £450 insurance, and this went to the mortgagee. He had entered into an to sell the site for £360, but in August last he was ordered to file his petition. His position was entirely due to the fire, and he was of opinion that if he had been allowed to start again in business he would have been able to pay his creditors in full. Answering the Official Assignee, Mr. G. N. Morris, debtor said he had kept a full set of books, but they were all destroyed in the fire. He was at present working for £5 a week and could not make any offer to his creditors. Mr. Morris said he had received £250 insurance on the stock. All Hogg had received was £100 deposit on the purchase of his section, and this was properly accounted for.

The case was left in the Official Assignee's hands.