A BANKRUPT BROUGHT BACK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 84, 6 October 1910, Page 3

A BANKRUPT BROUGHT BACK.

PROSECUTION OF HIGGINS. CASE FOR THE DEFENCE. After The Post went to pr.ess yesterday further evidence was heard in the prosecution brought by the Crown Law Office against Alfred Frank Higgins, grocer, lor an allged breach of the Bankruptcy Act, in that having been adjudged a bankrupt in the Supreme Court on 29th August, 1910, upon a petition presented on 20th August, he had, within twelve months before the presentation of the petition, quitted New Zealand and taken with him part of his property to the amount of £isQ and upwards that ought by law to be divided amongst his creditors. { Mr. T. Neave conducted the prosecution, and defendant .was represented by Mr. C. R. Dix. William Hurrell, August St. Romain, John Morris, Christina Morris, W. Morton, Arthur Trengrove, Donald Fraser, Alexander Milligan,, Alfred Schultz, and Arthur Black all said that Higgins, who was well known to them, had expressed his intention both before and after selling his business, his intention of going away for a holiday, and then returning to Wellington to settle up his accounts. Several said that Higgins was regarded among the merchants as financially sound and a good, regular payer. Alfred Frank Higgins said he paid his accounts every 20th of the month. He left Wellington on, the 3rd August, and had been able to sell his business to Mr. Hurrell after trying to dispose of it for some time. At the time he left, witness' had paid all debts that by the custom of merchants were payable at the time. Witness fully expected to be back at Wellington on, the 20th August. Mrs. Holland had been deserted with two children by her husband, and witness employed her at 25s a week. Book debts were not includeed in the transaction with Hurrell. Witness's object in leaving New Zealand was to find concealment for Mrs. Holland, and that was the reason why ho changed his name. Witness gave instructions to Keir and Co. to pack eleven cases of furniture, and he did not know Strut and Co., except as agents for Keir and Company. Witness acknowledged the signature "A. Fleming" on the back of the £12 10s cheque. The amount of his debts when he left New Zealand were £270 ; he was worth £1000. He had not the slightest criminal intention in leaving New Zealand. Mr. Neave: You cashed & cheque for £415 at Lytteiton?— Yes. Eight 50's, two s's, and three singles? —Yes. Witness said he banked the amount again in Dunedin, and obtained a draft for the amount. Is it not extraordinary that a man should take all his property to Tasmania and come back to settle debts of £300? — Well, I didn't know what I wanted when T was over there. Continuing, Higgins said he paid £5 exchange at Dunedin to Lave the money remitted to Hobart. Do you consider it to be a business proposition, for a man knowing business as you do to take all your money to Tasmania, and then pay exchange to bring £300 back to pay that amount in debts here? I would not have to pay exchange, but would have brought the amount back. At this stage, further heariag of the case was adjourned till 11 a.m. to-mor' row.