A HANDSOME GIFT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1923, Page 5

A HANDSOME GIFT

HOW AN AUCTIONEER CARRIED ON

AX- ACCOMMODATING HINDU,

The affairs of Leonard Vita Griffiths, an auctioneer, of Taihape, who recently filed his petition in bankruptcy, were investigated in the course' of a public examination of the bankrupt; which took place at the Supreme Oourt yesterday be-" fore Mr.. Justice Chapman. ; Mr. "0. C. Mazengarb appeared for the Official Assignee (Mr. S. Tansley), Mr. P. H. Putnam 1 for the bankrupt, Mr. G. G. Watson for Lempriere and Co., Mr. W. Perry for an Indian named Bhana Chiba, and Mr. W. E. Leicestsr for A. W. G; Dollimorej who was alleged to have at one stage contemplated partnership. with the bankrupt. In answer to Mr. Mazengarb, the d«btor, .who at present resides in Auckland, said that m 1921 he was working in Wellington at a weekly salary of £7. .At the "end of that year he had a capita] of £500, which had been .given to him by Bhana Chiba. . Chiua was starting the witness.in business at Taihape. For this sum and a further sum of £270. he executed a bill of sale in favour of Chiba. t .

Mr. Mazengarb: "Did you, while you •were in Taihape,- draw about £450 for your personal expenses?"—" No." "In April, 1922, a rough balance-sheet was taken out'"—"No. I didn't look upon it as a balance-sheet."

"What was it taken out for?"—"A prospective partner came up and he wanted to go into figures." ' ■■ "Did you show these figures to your prospective partner ?"-r-" Yes." . "Who was he?"—"I think I would rather not say." : Mr. Justice Chapman: "This is not a place .where a bankrupt can claim privileges. You .must answer." Bankrupt: "His name was Caselberg. I only wanted to protect him." . , Witness admitted having obtained 'credit from various firms .during May, June,, and July, 1922. In June he had liabilities amounting to £2400 and as-' sets totalling £155, so that at the time of his failure he was over £2000 behind. "■ Mr." Mazengarb : "You furnished your home at-Taihaps from furniture that was sent to you for sale?"—" Yes, from .efcick.".- : :

"You l had goods for sale on consignment?"—" Yes—furniture and fruit, " "Was it not for £15?"—" No." , "In June you had, a sale of all the goods in your rooms?"—" Yes." ' . "What sum did you realise ?"—"lt might have been £200." "Did you lease premises at Taihape at £8 per week for five years, before you had proved the worth of your business?"—" Yes." '

\ His Honour: VDid Bhana Chdba give you the £500?"—" Yes, it was a gift. He was so sure of the business being, a success." .

- His Honour: "Are there any more of these gentlemen as flush as that that you know?" (Laughter.) Mr. Mazengarb:; "Do you know anything about.book-keeping?"—" No. I am sorry to say." , ..' ■. '. Mr. Watson: "When you went to.Taihape you; had nothing apart from the Indian s money ?"—"That's so." , ' "Then for several months you traded pu. the Indian's money and that of your creditors?"—" Yes:" ■■ ■ '

"This balance-sheet, you made .put for your prospective' partner' was meant' to put a: pretty favourable complexion on your business,, was it not?"—" You can put it that way. I didn't look on it as a balance-sheet."

In answer ; to further- - questions, the bankrupt said that he had not been on a racecourse for twenty years. He admitted having ordered "a very nice suit" from Milligan'a three months.before his bankruptcy. ■ •Mr. Watson: "How much did you pajr lor the suit, or, rather, how much were you to pay for it?"—"£18." Mr. Watson: "So you thought you could afford, an expensive suit?"—" Yes." In reply to Mr.Pvry, bankrupt adtaitted that in all he had received £900 from Hhana Chiha. . \

Answering questions\by Mr. Putnam, the bankrupt referred to the fact that he had suffered heavy losses in connection, with shipments of fruit which were eept to him for-sale.

This closed the examinationi