BANKRUPT CHINESE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 115, 17 May 1932, Page 3

BANKRUPT CHINESE.

QUESTION OF GAMBLING.

CREDITORS' ALLEGATIONS.

With assets totalling £118 and liabilities standing at £807, William Fong Nan, shopkeeper, met his creditors this morning. Though the bankruptcy was under the jurisdiction of the Hamilton area, it was held in Auckland as the creditors are here. The Official Assignee at Hamilton, Mr. V. R. Crowhurst, presided. As bankrupt could not understand English the services of an interpreter were needed.

Bankrupt's statement said that he had started business in Hamilton in 1921. He borrowed £400 from his wife. Subsequently ho sold out to Cliie Fong, but received practically nothing for the sale. He went again into business on his own account. There was illness in the family, ajwl not only did that cost money but he was forced to employ unskilled labour. He then had to shift his business to a Jess convenient site, and his takings fell away again. From the end of 1929 his wife helped him considerably, but his creditors pushed him.

One of the creditors said that it was a strange thing that Nan should have lost some £800 In so short a time, about 18 months. He asked whether bankrupt had gambled or lived extravagantly. Counsel for bankrupt replied in the

negative. Another creditor rejoined that his (inn had been advised that bankrupt had gambled extensively. "The question of the £800 certainly requires some explaining," he added. Mr. Crowhurst then advised bankrupt's counsel, to instruct his client to discuss with Mrs. Nan whether she was prepared to make any payment to the creditors. At that point the meeting was adjourned sine die.