CARRIER FAILS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 47, 24 August 1931, Page 8

CARRIER FAILS

A TRIP TO ENGLAND

BAD HEALTH THE REASON

A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of. George Morgan, carrier, of Miramar, was held in the office of the Official Assignee to-day.

Unsecured creditors totalled £467 7s 3d, including John Mills, Wellington, £30; Redpath and Co., "Wellington, £29; Shell Oil-Co., Wellington, £62; R.vß. Scott, Wellington, £36 17s sd; Wellington Hospital, £19; Dominion Tire Co., £62; Preston Service Station, Kilbirnie, £19 12s 6d; and John Burns and Co., Wellington, £169. The bankrupt's statement showed that he started in business with his son thirteen years ago as George Morgan and Son ..-with one truck. In three years they had ten lorries in work. The Bitumen Construction Company went into liquidation owing them over £900, none of which they received. That loss, six years ago, disorganised the business, up till that time a paying proposition, and they withdrew from it. Four years ago the bankrupt started again on his own account, purchasing two lorries. He had a contract with the Wellington City Council for the Sydney, street deviation, which lasted nine months, and he purchased another lorry from John Burns and Co. The council stopped • the Sydney street work because .of the trouble over the cemetery, and he was left with three lorries on his hands. At present he had a coal business, but having to pay cash could give no credit and customers were leaving. He was compelled to return.two of the trucks. For four years he had been practically an invalid. In May, 1930, lie was operated on for appendicitis, gallstones,' and liver complaint, and after.leaving hpspital was told to cease work. His bro> ther in England sent him £90 to go Home for a trip. None of the money owing to creditors was used on this trip. Two years ago he had a fire in his coal yard, the insurance on which was £250. Of this £220 waspaid to the creditors. He saw no prospect of paying his creditors anything. Ho had a worker's dwelling at Miramar, ou which there was a mortgage of £1050. He paid £1 10s a week for this house. He had a wife, and two sons and a daughter out of work. About a year ago £132 was, stolen from his house and not recovered.

Asked why he had not advised his creditors before taking the trip Home, the bankrupt said that things did not look so bad then as now. Several expected contracts had not materialised. He went to England iv July, 1930. Counsel for the bankrupt (Mr. Taylor, of Mr. A. B. Sievwright'e office) said that the trip was not one of pleasure, but was taken for health reasons. Creditors: "We realise that." To the Official Assignee, bankrupt said that he had then, about £8 in the bank, and there .were outstanding debts. A creditor stated that two days before the bankrupt went to England, he had told him that he was going to Kotorua. • The bankrupt said that he had intended going to Kotorua before the money came from England, and he had told creditors that he was going, to Rbtorua. He had stayed with his brother in England, where he. remained only six weeks. The whole trip had cost him only £120. Bankrupt's statements regarding his health were ' corroborated by medical evidence. The creditors, while not satisfied that the bankrupt had been as frank as ho might have been regarding his position when he left for England, took no action, and the meeting was adjourned sine die. "Every man out of work with £50 buys a lorry," said the bankrupt's solicitor, "and.even the big firms have had to come into line with the smaller firm's charges. There is nothing iv the carrying business now."