Official Assignee’s Agent Rejects Proof Of Debts

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29956, 18 October 1962, Page 24

Official Assignee’s Agent Rejects Proof Of Debts

Proof of debts for necessary goods bought for her family by a bankrupt, Mona Robina Strange, aged 48. a married woman, was rejected by the agent for the Official Assignee <Mr D. Malcolm) at a meeting of Mrs Strange’s creditors. Mr Malcolm said that some of the debts for food and clothing could be the responsibility of the husband, William Henry Strange. Mrs Strange’s Statement of affairs showed no assets and a deficiency of £361 4s 7d—£B4 to secured creditors and £277 4s 7d to unsecured creditors.

She admitted to being an undischarged bankrupt, having been adjudged bankrupt in 1947, but said that she was not aware of the legal effect of being an undischarged bankrupt.

Mr Malcolm said it was an awkward situation, for if any money was received from Mrs Strange it would have to be paid to the creditors of her first bankruptcy. In a statement explaining the reasons for her bankruptcy, Mrs Strange said she incurred the debts while she was working as a cook but had to stop work because of ill-health and could not pay her debts. While she was working as a cook she was earning £l2 18s net a week, and her husband gave her £7 10s a week housekeeping money. When she stopped working the housekeeping money was increased to £lO 3 week. “I do not- smoke or drink, and many of the debts are in respect of clothing and footwear for the children. I also have had considerable expense in buying glasses for the children," she said. Examined by Mr Malcolm. Mrs Strange said that she bet on horses occasionally, and had been on racecourses even though she was a prohibited person. Mrs Strange said she did

not know how much money her husband earned, but the housekeeping allowance he gave her was not sufficient to keep the house going and buy clothing for the children. Three of the children were working and each paid £ 1 10s a week for board, but because their wages were small they could not make any further contributions.

Mr Malcolm adjourned the meeting sine die.