WOMAN CHARGED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 180, 1 August 1944, Page 2

WOMAN CHARGED

BANKRUPTCY SEQUEL SERIES OF ALLEGATIONS The trial of Dorothy Carter, married woman, who was adjudicated bankrupt in September, 1943 (Mr. Noble), on 15 charges of breaches of the Bankruptcy Act, was continued before Mr. Justice Fair and a jury to-day. Mr. G. S. R. Meredith prosecuted for the Crown. Most of the charges were that accused contracted debts when she had no reasonable expectation of being able to pay them. One alleged concealment of assets. Edmund G. Oldham, officer of the P and T. Department, testified that accused owed £40 for two telephones in 1942 and 1943. Of that, £39 was for toll charges on her Papakura telephone. Five women testified that they advanced sums of £50 and £100 in 1942 to accused, being given promissory notes due in six months for sums representing 30 to 60 per cent interest on the money. One woman said she was promised 30 per cent interest, and another said she understood she was to get £1 a week interest on £100. Two of the witnesses said they did get some interest for a time, but' all said they did not get back any of the principal lent by them. A young man said he lent accused £60 and received a promissory note for £72. He got two monthly payments of £6, but none of the principal. Sum of £400 Advanced Another woman said that in 1942 she advanced accused £400 in the belief that accused oAvned three farms. She got a promissory note, due in six months, for £496. In cross-examination witness said the inducement was not so much the £96 as the belief that accused owned three farms and was a person of standing. Witness added that at the time she believed a promissory note was a legal document which gave her security for her money. Evidence was given as to various articles not named in the bankrupt's statement of assets having been bought in accused's name. These included refrigerator, carpet', furniture suite and wall tapestries. Request By Jury A request was made by the foreman on behalf of the jury that a woman who had been mentioned by some of the female witnesses as having introduced them to accused for the purpose of lending money should be called. Mr. Noble intimated that his client would not object. Mr. Meredith said the Crown had no objection, as he understood the woman would be available. The Court agreed that an effort should be made to have this new witness called. Lan Watkin, public accountant, said that for the business said to have been carried on by accused a minimum of account books would be a journal, a cash book and a ledger, with the supporting invoices and vouchers. (Proceeding.)