THIRTEEN CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 262, 5 November 1931, Page 8

THIRTEEN CHARGES.

BANKRUPTCY ACT.

AFFAIRS OF BUTCHER.

ALLEGATION OF GAMBLING,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, this day,

George Edward Clout, who formerly carried on business as a butcher in New Plymouth, appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., in connection with 13 informations, in which charges are made of alleged breaches of the Bankruptcy Act.

The proceedings were instituted by the deputy-official assignee, Mr. J. S. S. Medley.

Clout was charged with contracting debts in July and August, 1930, with Rangitikei stock firms, when he could not have had any reasonable expectations of being able to pay these as well as his other debts. He was also charged that in July, 1930, being within three years before the presentation of the bankruptcy petition against him on December 19, 1930, under the false pretence of carrying on business and dealing in the ordinary course of trade, he had obtained property on credit and had not paid for it.

The total sum involved in these charges was £484. Clout was also charged with failing to keep proper books and that he had not delivered to date all the books in his custody, to wit, his ledger. He was further charged with bringing about his bankruptcy by gambling, drunkenness and unjustifiable extravagance.