FAILED TO KEEP PROPER BOOKS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28491, 22 January 1958, Page 7

FAILED TO KEEP PROPER BOOKS

Bankrupt Contractor Given Probation

(New Zealand Press Association)

HAMILTON, January 21.

A two-yebr probation term was imposed on Desmond Percy Harper, aged 27, of Pirongia, charged with, failing to keep proper and sufficient books of accounts, when he appeared before Mr L. M. Inglis, S.M., in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court today. He pleaded guilty to the charge, which was brought under the Bankruptcy Act. Mr D. W. McMullin, for the Official Assignee, said Harper was adjudged bankrupt in July last year on his own application. He had been carrying on the business of a contractor in the Te Awamutu area. There was £23,000 owing to approved creditors and £5OO in assets, all of which was accounted for by preferential wages.

Mr McMullin said Harper attributed his bankruptcy to lack of management experience and to the bad winter of 1956 which immobilised his machinery. An accountant had kept his books for a time, but Harper later said he would keep them. During bankruptcy inquiries it was disclosed that there were no proper records. It appeared that Harper’s claim to inexperience was borne out by the investigations made. Part of. his trouble seemed to be that he had been able to buy expensive .machinery for nominal deposits. The Magistrate said it was a serious matter. Harper was liable to a long term of imprisonment.