MOTOR-DRIVER’S BAD LUCK

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 313, 30 September 1926, Page 6

MOTOR-DRIVER’S BAD LUCK

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS The first meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate ‘of George Christie, motor driver, of Wellington, was held yesterday. The official assignee (Mr. S. Tansley) presided, and bankrupt was accompanied by his solicitor (Mr. J. O’Donovau). The only creditor present was Mr. Redding. Unsecured creditors were shown at £ll6 10s. 6d., the principal amounts being: A. S. Paterson and Co., Ltd., £5O Us. 9d.; Pegden and Co., Ltd., £25 135.; Redding and Co., £lO 3s. 9d. There were no assets. Bankrupt, in bis sworn statement, explained that Iris present debts had all been incurred more than three years ago, while he was in business as a taxi-proprietor. He had a large sixcylinder, which he purchased on the hire system from Thomas Richardson, of Wellington. He was in business for two and a half years, but on account of Richardson taking possession of the car in 1924 for default in payment of instalments, he was obliged to give up business. Under the agreement with Richardson he was to pav £925 for the car by monthly instalments of £2O. He was clearing from £5 to £5 10s. per week from the business, and out of this he had to keep his wife and child, paying 355. per week for rent for a house,, and 7s. 6d. a week for garage expenses. He received a set-back in 1923 through an accident in running into another car. The owner of the other car sued him and obtained judgment, and the case cost him about £45. He liad another accident on the Roxton swamp, when his car skidded and overturned This accident cost him about £5O. After Richardson seized the car bankrupt went to Auckland and joined the Royal Bus Company as a driver, and he remained with them from September, 1924, until April, 1926, receiving £5 per week wages. Out of this he had had to- pay his wife £2 a week. In April of this year bankrupt came to Wellington and joined the Wellington Suburban Motor Bus Company, remaining with that company until thev went out of business He bad now accepted a position with the Wellington City Council at £4 12s. per week. Messrs. Redding and Co. sued him about three weeks ago, and obtained an order on a judgment summons for payment in full, in default 21 days’ imprisonment As bankrupt was unable to pay the amount a warrant was issued for his arrest, and the bailiff arrested him under the warrant on September 18 This compelled him to file his petition in bankruptcy He could not see his wav to make any offer to his creditors.

Mr 'Redding asked bankrupt why he had told him that Redding and Co. was the onlv creditor. “What has become of the monev von rot for placing at the pictures?” he asked. Bankrupt explained that he bad not played in a picture orchestra since he became a motor driver A somewhat lively exchange of words ensued between Mr Redding and bankrupt at this stage, and the official assignee remarked that if they desired to use strong language they had better go outside. Nothing could be done, as' there was no quorum present. The meeting would be adjourned sine die.