RE ROBERT GARDINER.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7523, 12 April 1890, Page 3

RE ROBERT GARDINER.

A meeting of the creditors in the estaU of Robert Gardiner, flax-dresser, Haiswell. was held at 11 aun. yesterday, at the Official Assignee's office. There were abobt fifteen creditors present. » The bankrupt's statement ot assets and liabilities showed that the liabilities were £607 Us 7d, and the asset* £339 105, leaving a deficiency of £257 10s 7d. The creditors (unsecured) were— Wood, fahand and Co., £284; Booth, Mac- <?. 0 ,? al & a £ d £°" £6S Oa Od-Steele Broa.. IPli T *-*T G --J-*V- Bell - -* 20 - w - Smith. £-*- 2s 6d; W. White and Co., £40 6s lid: Price Bros,, £6 ss; Grey Valley Coal Company, £15; Aitken and Roberts, £32105; W. Birdling, jun., £A 15s; J. Anderson and Son, £317s Od; Isaac Allen, £10; A. Burke, £3; C. Baynes, £2; Hayes. £10; wages, £59 3s 2d; total, km 0s 10a. The assets were : —Steam engine, valued at £180; stripper, £20 \ screw press, £20; scutcher and concave, -620; shafting and pulleys, £12 ; belting, £10; flax partly dressed, £60; tow, £10; half share of chestnut mare, £210s; COAL £5 ; total, £83910 a. The bankrupt, in hls statement, said he put down the failure to make the flaxmlli pay to the high/ price paid for green flax. He was compelled to file through being pressed by White and Co. Mr Lane appeared for the bankrupt. < In reply to Mr Beswick, who appeared for Messrs White and Co., the bankrnbt said he commenced the business about the let November, 1889. He then had between £40 and £50. The liabilities he now had were Incurred ln one month, the majority being for plant. Had no promises fox support from anyone, and had nothing beyond the £40 or £50 to meet the llab-U----ties except what he expected to make, Kept books himself from the starting of the business. The books produced were the exact copy of his business books. He kept a day-book, ledger, and cash-book. Had never filed a petition in bankruptcy before. Before he went into the business he was managing a flag mill at Waiau. Some three years ago was Ln partnership with his father and brother William in the chaff-cutting business. He was not aware that the partnership was dissolved. Could not say what assets there were in the partnership. There was a chaff-cutter and oat-crusher, two spring drays, and one horse. They were now a. Haiswell. Garrick and Co. claimed the ownership of them, under a bill of sale, to the best of his belief. He did not give the bill of sale, but supposed his father did. The bill of sale was given his father by bankrupt and his brother's permission, He believed the amount raised was -350, whioh was used topay off the oat crushes and chaffcuttar. Thought there was also collateral security given to Garrick; and Co. by a mortgage over property*.- Bankrupt did not read the mortgage, but heard it read. The mortgage was signed toy himself and other members of the fafejliy. The debt was still owing to Garrick and Co. It had been reduced by £10. The goods Included in the bill of sale had not been taken possession of by anybody, There was a man at Haiswell in possessioa of some things, but what they w<sre he did not know, and did not Inquire. Stranaghan took a buggy for an old debt of his father's. The buggy belonged to bankrupt, and ha sanctioned his father giving a sale note for £25 over it twelve months ago. Soma of the money went towards the partnership debts, and acme to his brother. Could not say if the sale note cgvej-ed anything else. Gave no authority' to pledge any. thing else. Stranaghan'a bailiff also took awayapony belonging to bankrupt,, and heard he took two spring drays. Ttw sprlng drays and pony were at Haiswell, but he did not know where the buggy was. Did not admit to Steele Bros, that; their account was £27, and not £20. To Mr Meares, the bankrupt said the profits of the chatteut.irig were to b« shared by the partnership. The chaffcutter and oat-crusher belonged to his father. Did not consider he was responsible for the liabilities of the partnership. The money he paid to the carters for flax was obtained from Wood, Shand aud Co. In advances'on flax. His father lent him .a few pounds towards the coat of erecting the flaxnilli. Hlh father did not undertake to be responsible lor ahy liabilities incurred in connection with the flaxmlll, and he had no interest in the profits Of the flaxmlll. Bankrupt was Indebted to his father in trifling amounts, bat It was not mentioned in the statement of liabilities as it was a family affair. To Mr McConnel—Bankrupt's father did not wish to file with him oa a partner ia the flax mill. His father got a small portion of inferior flax, that was mado into rope; it was not charged for. Bankrupt had several times Instructed hia father to nut on men to cut flax, and also to order timber from Mr White. Remembered being in Mr McConnel's office with Mr Baynes, but did not remember saying tbat his father had a contra account against Smith's account. To Mr G. T. Booth—Bankrupt said ha bought a horse for £A from a man named Rickaby, about three months ago, aad sold it about two months ago for £6, Tha transaction was a cash one, but was not entered in the cash book. Did not lend his brother any money or goods when ha took the Glentunnel farm. Mr Lane explained that by an oversight the debtor's interest in some land settled on the family was not mentioned. | To Mr Lane the bankrupt said that tht i proceeds from the sale of flax, &c, went to pay for green flax. He had had nothing for himself daring the time the mill was at work, and lived with his father, to | whom he paid no board. He was induced to start fn the flax milling business on account of the good price of flax, mid Wood, Shand and Co. encouraged hlta ta commence. The bankrupt undertook to producs tha rough books of his business. He had no proposal to make, seeing that hlaoMmot lOs in the £ was refused. ,-,' ! Mr Booth pointed out that when: Ihe offer waa made the debts were only shown to be between £400 and £500. Now fchej were over £600, A proposal to appoint a supervise*-* w&J negatived, and it was agreed that, tfafl i Official Assignee should administer tiu estate in the usual way.