MANY MISFORTUNES

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1925, Page 8

MANY MISFORTUNES

LEAD TO BLACKSMITH’S BANKRUPTCY. A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of James Martin, blacksmith, of Nelson Creek, was called for Friday afternoon, but no creditors put in an appearance.

Bankrupt, in his written statement, said that for about five years to 1919 he was carrying on business at Ikamatua as a blacksmith, being put into business by Messrs J. D. Lynch and P. Renton, who guaranteed the purchase price ,of the house he occupied Unit the (Macksmith’s’ : sh)opj to thic Bank of New South Wales. The price was £350. At the end of 1918, bankrupt and his fjamilyf Contracted influenza,, as a result of which he was unable to do any heavy work for two years. The guarantors took over the house and business early in 1919, paying bankrupt £35. He got behind in the business, which was not profitable, and paid the’ £35 to the creditors. After that he went to Totara Flat and worked ’as a carter for Messrs Byrne and Sullivan for £5 a. week for six months. Ho then commenced getting mining timber for the . Blackball and Roa mines,, but the timber slump camo on, and the work resulted in a loss. After that bankrupt did odd jobs, averaging £2 a. week. Work at. Hahn Brothers ’ sawmill brought him in about 18s a day for about 12 months, but as ho could . only work on fine days, he could not make enough to keep his family. Bankrupt mentioned other places where he worked, sometimes receiving £1 per day. He then secured various timber rights from Rotokuhu settlers, in conjunction with Mr Solomon McDowell. of Gatlins Road, who considered that it would be a profitable undertaking. However, it did not work out well and bankrupt was compelled to sell out the options, and considerable jfimc land money was lost thereby. He had. five children, and a | wife Who was seriously ill. His wife and family had been ordered to Christchurch by the doctor at Easter, 1924. and had remained there till August, 1924. He attributed his bankruptcy to his partner not. fulfilling his part of the agreement in connection with the timber options. Ho'was now working at 'Blak-kWaH', %ut could 'not find a house there, and his wife and family had to reside at Nelson Creek— eight miles away. Liabilities amounted to £316 10s. The following is the list of unsecured creditors-.' —Byrne ,and Sullivan, Ikamatua £100; William Ward, Ahaura. ’£6o; Patterson Bros.. Rcefton, £4O; J. Dick, Rcefton, £14.; O’Malley and Co,. Cronadun £l4; Carroll and O’Brien. Reef ton £3; Mayfair Company, Greymouth, £6; Henlctt and Co., Christchurch £9; Anderson and Co., Christchurch £1 19s; Sumner Meat. Company £3; Harold Bros, Rocfton, £4; Mr Boyle, Reef ton £1 9s; Tymons and Co.. Greymouth £4;. Kim Williams. Greymouth, £2 10s: Fred Williams, Greymouth £3,105; C. Smith, Greymouth £5; Ashby Bergh and Co., Greymouth, £4; W. Fisher, Nelson Creek £l2 18s;/Iles Baker, Greymouth £4; Fred Murray. Greymouth £1 19s; T. Morgan, Reefton £2 4s; Kettle Bros., ‘Greymouth £4: Grey Hospital Board.£l6. . There were no assets. In reply to the Assignee, bankrupt .stated that he could make no offer. He had no property, as the funiture in his house belonged to his wife. The meeting was adjourned sine die.