BANKRUPTCY CASE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 19

BANKRUPTCY CASE

CRIMINAL CHARGES PROCEED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., This Day.

Three breaches of the Bankruptcy Act were alleged against Frederick John Duckworth, builder, in the Supreme Court today.

He was charged (1) that he failed fully and truly to discover to the District Official Assignee all his property; (2) that he failed to deliver up his interest in a motor-car, being part of the property under his control; (3) that in a statement relating to his affairs he made a material omission, his interest in a car. The accused pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given by I. D. Litch- j field, District Official Assignee, that the statement of assets made by tlte accused at the time or iiis bankruptcy made no reference to a car which witness subsequently recovered and realised upon for £75 after £6 4s had been paid to meet a lien held on it. Subsequently witness placed the matter before the Crown Solicitor. Robert Porter, formerly director of a motor firm, gave evidence that the accused bought from it a car under a hire purchase agreement. The accused got behind in his payments and an arrangement was reached that the car should be sold on the accused's behalf, the accused to be credited with any balance after' the firm's account had been met. R. J. Meatyard gave evidence that at a meeting of creditors the accused said the car had been seized for a small payment. Counsel for the accused did not call evidence. He submitted that the motor firm secured possession of the car and held it as security for money owing. Right up to the date of the bankruptcy there was still a balance owing. The accused had no asset to hand over.

The jury has retired.