MEETING OF CREDITORS.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7524, 14 April 1890, Page 3

MEETING OF CREDITORS.

The first meeting of the creditors in, the estate of Joseph Gardiner, of Haiawellj ropemaker, was held at the Official Assignee's office at 10a. m, on Saturday. There was a small attendance of creditors* Mβ Meares appeared for the bankrupt. The statement of liabilities showed—Unsecured creditors £81 103, of which the largest items were Mercantile Finance Company £20, and Isaac Alien £20; eecured creditors, Garrick and Co., *40; total liabilities. £121 103. The , assets amounted to £47, leaving a deficiency ol £74168. .-.,., ■ . . .. . ;.,m

The bankrupt attributed his failure to I assisting his eon in the flax dressing bustness, and filed through the pressure ol Messrs W. White and Co. Iv reply to questions put by Mr Bee* wick, who appeared for Messrs White and Co., the bankrupt said he confessed judgment for £49 6s lid as surety lor his spa, Had been bankrupt before, about twelve years ago. The cbaffcutting business belonged to himself, and not ale eons. He was never in partnership with hie sons in the business. There were a tew billheads made out in Gardiner and Sons name, but he did not think that wa» sufficient to constitute a partnership. Hβ started the business fire or six years ago. and was carrying it on still whea he could get anything to do* The rope and twine-making business was his own. Had no interest in the flax dressing. His sons had no interest in th* ropewprks, and never had kept any Jwoke, He, attributed his failure, to .. a great measure, to assisting his son in the flaxdressing. The sum of £40 which bis wife had in September last was all gone. Bank* rupt kept his son's engine-driver in the house, and he himself assisted at the millbut got nothing for his services, nor had he looked for it. He had two drays, one horse, one cow, and two piga at Halsweli. The spring-cart wa* at Glentunnei. The oat-crusher and thi chaffcutter were at Hals we 11 .7 The, pony, which his son had a half-inteffeai in was generally at New Brighton, where hie son lived. AIL those articles, except the cow, pigs, and pony, were undo? the bill of eale to Garrlck and Co. Gave a sale note over a buggy to Stranaghsnat hia son Robert's ■ request The money was given to his son to pay wages with. Took two drays away from the Junction Hofiel which had been seized, Stranaghaa had been paid. Bankrupt did not pay him. The timber got from White and Cα. foe the flax mill was for Robert Gardner. Bankrupt did no% order any of it, but signed some of the way bills for it. Did not think he ever tola Mr White of his men that the timber was to be charged te him and not to hie son Robert. Theylcnew that the flax mill was Robert's venture. Bankrupt admitted that the timber had been charged to him, bat said he told Mc White he had made & mistake. Did' not know that he ever stated ia Mr L&nea office that he was a partner in the Sax mill with his son Robert. Did notremember ever telling Mr White that the laadjafc Halsweli was his own or offer to give a mortgage over it. Remembered telling Mr White on the 17th March that fcfeere was a mortgage of £iO on hia property. The bankrupt was examined at soma length regarding the conditions under which the property at Halawell wae purchased. To Mr Booth the bankrapfc said he expected that the person who paid out Stranagh&n had posaesalon ol th© baescr The bankrupt afterwards aflralfctefo thai hi-* son-in-law, Mr Baynea, paid out Mr Stranaghan. •■..■■■ ' . . .:,

■. Mr Baynes «aid the settlement with Mr Stranaghan took place on April 3rd. J°.l« the bankrupt eaid ln*i what his boa Robert h&d said with reference to the partnership in the oMft cutting was correct. " The meeting then closed. :