A BANKRUPTCY PROSECUTION

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 78, 28 September 1907, Page 4

A BANKRUPTCY PROSECUTION

Q COMMITTED tfOR TBIAL. [BY TILEGItAP.I.— P2US3 ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, 26tK September. Several charges under the Bankruptcy Act, 1902, wero laid against Alexander Pattcrspn at the Police 'Court to-^ay before Mr- Dyer, S.M. The accused, who had lately been trading in Hawera, under "tbe name of Patterson Bios., drapers, was adjudged a bankrupt in September of last year. His liabilities totals led £18,668 15s 3d, and assets £7345 17s 4d leaving a deficiency of £11,342 17s lid. Mr. Fallon, instructed by tho Crown Solicitor (the Mod. J. A. Tole, K.C.), appeared for the Official Assignee (Mr. E. Gerard), and Mr. J. It. Reed appeared for accused. Mt. Fallon, in opening tho case, said the proceedings' wero taken tinder " vction 167 of tho Bankruptcy Act, 1822, subsections 2, 4, 9, and 11. Tliiee of tho charges weie laid under subsection 2. Accused was charged with contracting dobts without any reasonable or proper expectation of being able- to pay tho same. It was alleged tint there -was ra3h and hazardous speculation, and accused uas lurcher charged. - with failing to keep propei books and faili3§-.-to discover property to the oxtent of £53 12s 3Cd. Ernest Gerard, Official Assignee, eaid he examined the books after tho bankruptcy, but found them to bo in £uch a state that he could not make anything out of them. At th-3 timo of tho bankruptcy the creditors desired to make a private assignment of tho estate to witness, but be objected. It was. then suggested that bankrupt should file, and he at first refused, but was afterwards persuaded to do so. Mr. Reed : Do you suggest that bankrupt in any \cay misappropriated moneys to his own use? Witness : No, not to my knowledge. William M'Clutcheoii, a public accountant, ~at present accountant for Bowron Bros., Christchurch, said he went to Hawera and found the books produced, but could not mako an accurate statatnont as to Patterson's position. Ho considered tho accused a man capable, of carrying on the business, and one who should knotv his position. In a conversation with the- accused witness said it wos a pity he did not unka known his position same two or three years before, and tho reply t was that he was "hoping aj.'&.inst'hop'e" to recover himself. - To Mt. Reed : Having jjor.e fully into this matter ur,d enquired into all circumstances, he had no ic;uon to believe that accused had mis>npprojiriated oithor money or foods. 'Che personal expenditure on acei'.Eeci and family for their upkfep did not exceed £500 per year. Accused pleaded not guilty, and "reserved his defence. He was committed for tiial. Bail was allowed accused in hit own recoankonce of £200 and tv/o sureties of £100 each.

At a. church < 6 iithtn ing in Westport the P.ev, M. A. Rugby Piatt made humorous lefeicuce (sajs the V/e» tport Time) to those folk to whom it is an ins--ei utable conundrum how a pjiiion manages io ki 1 ! time. Ho had been m Westport for three years and five months, and his daily record book contained among othex3 the following entries: — Suncfoy sriuionx preached, 322 ; mid-veok sermons preached, 133 ; prayer meetings conducted, 108 ; KMcnunents'jtißd ordinances, .109 ; Sunday school ficssious attended,' 161 ; junior class and brigade, meetings, 124; choral practices attended, '158; t official wealiugs presided over, 66 ; social and etuidry meetings, 47 ; interviews and consultations in the study, 628 ; calls on church matteis, 1522 ; pastoial visits paid, 2531 ; meetings attended outride church work proper, 137. ' Mr. Prntl added that hio visits were .never of tho "tea and twaddle" vminty, and that a ii]bii.«>!er'is piintipal work could not be tabulated. A movement is afodt to establish a soap factory in Westport. A bite for buildings and plant/ is being acuured m Uio of the municinal abattoirs.