LABOURER FAILS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 17, 14 October 1927, Page 6

LABOURER FAILS

BROKEN WORKING TIME. Palniersfon North, October 13.. How lie was unable to meet his liabilities owing to sickness and inability to obtain work was related to a meeting of his creditors to-day by Augustus Oscar Cottington, labourer, of Palmerston North, bankrupt. Bankrupt owed £7O Cs. 2d. to unsecured creditors, and his only asset was furniture, valued at £25, there being thus a deficiency of £45 6s. 2d. In his personal statement, bankrupt set out that he had been in Palmerston about five years Up till three years ago he had had a good deal of broken time, and was for some time out of employment. In April last he had lost six weeks’ work through illness, receiving only half pay (£2 6s. a week), out of which he paid £1 ss. 6d. weekly as rent. He had been sued several times, and this had always added considerably to his debts. He once borrowed a little money to avoid a judgment summons. This was at very high interest. He had at present one order against him for 10s. monthly, while, one judgment summons was pending, and another threatening. He could not pay all these with added costs, and at the same time pay his way. He earned £4 12s. per week if he lost no time through bad weather or other circumstances. Up till about 18 months ago he was receiving onlv £4 3s. per week. He had no property or prospects, and could make no offer to his creditors. Cross-examined bv his creditors, bankrupt stated that all accounts owing were for practically necessities of life. Although he had made every effort to pay his debts, circumstances had prevented him from keeping all offers he had made. He did not gamble. He could make no offer to his "creditors. The meeting was adjourned sine die.