"MYSTERIOUS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 110, 12 May 1930, Page 10

"MYSTERIOUS."

BANKRUPT'S MISSING BOOK.

BRUCE SENT TO GAOL.

STORY NOT BELIEVED.

"There is something in this c* B * ■which is mysteripus and has not yet been properly explained," said Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court this morning in sentencing Clarence William Bruce (27) to three months' imprisonment without hard labour for keep proper accounts three years prior to his bankruptcy. It was pleaded by Mr. Jordan that accused left no unsecured creditors, and did not deceive his creditors as to his financial standing. He asked his Honor to take into account as mitigation of the penalty the fact that a certain book was missing, and that Bruce-was suffering from rheumatism. Mr. Hubble, for the Crown, said the iury v which considered the case were told clearly that if they came to the conclusion that the bankrupt had kept the book he said was missing, he was to be acquitted. The jury clearly found, however, that the book did not ccntajn the particulars that bankrupt stated. His Honor said it was quite clear that prisoner had failed to keep proper, books. His defence was that he did keen books, and that one had been'lost by. the Official Assignee. The jury had, however, found in favour of the latter, and in effect, that bankrupt was not telling the truth when he «ipoko of what was contained in the book which disappeared. The circumstances of the case made it difficult for his Honor. While, taking into account that prisoner was suffering from rheumatism, he must consider that the court did not usually grant probation in bankruptcy cases.