CONTEMPT OF COURT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27226, 18 December 1953, Page 14

CONTEMPT OF COURT

PROCEEDINGS AGAINST BANKRUPT Lawrence Olsen, a sawmiller, who had been adjudged bankrupt, appeared before Mr Justice McGregor in the Supreme Court yesterday on summons to show cause why he should not be fined or imprisoned for contempt of Court.

Mr P. T. Mahon, for the Official Assignee (Mr G. W. Brown) said that Olsen was adjudged bankrupt on March 12. His assets were shown as £3BO and his liabilities as £l7OO. He was 28, married, with one child, and was separated from his wife. When the order of adjudication was made he gave certain information to the Official Assignee. As the investigation into his affairs progressed, he was asked to attend and give further information but he did not do so, although 10 letters must have been written to him. On May 11 he told the Official Assignee he was going to Kaikoura to collect £4O from a debtor. He did not go to see the Official Assignee on his return, though he was written to several times. He saw the Official Assignee on July 1 and it was found he might be able to pay a further £5O. He said he would pay it on July 6, but did not do so. He was written to several times but made no response. On August 3, the Official Assignee issued a summons for Olsen to attend at his office on August 17, said Mr Mahon. The summons was served but the conduct money was refused and Olsen did not attend.

The Official Assignee had been more than patient with Olsen, said Mr Mahbn. Olsen was liable to be fined or imprisoned for a maximum of three months.

He had left it in the hands of a member of the firm for whom he worked to make sure the money was put in the hands of the Official Assignee, said Olsen in reply to his Hoonur. He was away a good deal and when he mentioned this matter to a member of the firm the latter said he would get in touch with the Official Assignee 'and explain why he. Olsen, had not replied to the letters or gone to the office.

“Bankruptcy is not iust a means of getting out of your debts, Olsen,” said his Honour. “The object is that your .affairs can be investigated, and you should do everything you can to help the Official Assignee. Later, if your conduct was satisfactory you would get your discharge. You have completely ignored the Official Assignee and* have not assisted him in the slightest. You have committed acts which are a contempt of this Court. “I will adjourn these proceedings to the February sittings,” said his Honour. “In the meantime you had better give the Official Assignee every assistance. If the Official Assignee reports that you have done so, the Court may deal with the matter more lightly then. If not, you will be punished by this Court.”