A STEADY INCREASE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 82, 31 December 1928, Page 8

A STEADY INCREASE

BANKRUPTCIES IN NORTH CANTERBURY

Dominion Special Service.

Christchurch, December 29. The number of bankruptcies in the North Canterbury district continues steadily to increase. The year 19-8 contributed a total of 86, compared with 82 in 1927 and 65 in 1926. In each of these three years farmers have been the most frequent sufferers. Thirteen farmers were forced to file in 1928, fifteen in 1927, and eleven in 1926. Labourers, seven of whom had to face their creditors in 1927, have been more fortunate this year, only three filing. Salesmen have suffered through the tightness of the consumer’s purse, and seven have had interviews with the. Official Assignee, compared with one in 1927. No clerks appeared on the list last year, whereas three are mentioned this year. The same remark applies to butchers and carriers. Bankruptcies have shown a steady increase in the last ten or eleven years. There were 33 in 1917, which figure was not eclipsed until 1922 returned a total of 41. From then on the increase has been fairly regular. Following are the figures for each of the vears: 1917, 33; 1918, 10; ,1919, 9 • 1920, 22; 1921, 25; 1922, 41; 1923, 46; 1924, 49 ; 1925, 61; 1926, 65; 1927, 82; 1928, S 6.