S. M Wilson’s Bankruptcy

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 17, 21 July 1887, Page 3

S. M Wilson’s Bankruptcy

PUBLIC EXAMINATION. An examination of tbs bankrupt S. M. Wilson took place on Tuesday afternoon before Hie Honor the Chief Justice. Hi DeLautour appeared for the AWgnee ; Mr B1W? fbt the bankrupt. Interrogated by Mr DeLauttinr, 1 the bankrap: gave a statement of his position before the fire, and aS to his knowledge of certalfl horses. He had little knowledge of what had been saved from the fire at the hotel. Some of the goods were removed, but he did not remove them—ha bed no instruc. tions from the insurance people t 8 do so, At the time the traps were.being removed thelb appeared no danger of tlie hotel catching fire. Some of the traps might have been engaged it removing salvage. Did not know Kirkpat.' rick and Miller were engaged in removing goods—knew Little and they were removing the traps. Had saved nothing from the fire—anything saved had been taken to the Palmerston road cottage, without any instructions from him, and then seised by Mr Stubbs. All the carriages were saved, Mr Stubbs got all the traps in the bill of sale. There were two others, a small phseton and a four-wheeled dog cart. The forrtier belonged to Mrs Wilson, bought with her own moneypart earnings and part from her father—and was in her possession. The other belonged to Miss Bichardson (a nurse in witness’ employ) who had given it to Mr Brassey as security for hie costs. Miss Bichardson had seen the trap advertised in a Napier paper, and asked Wilson to purchase it for her, giving him the fifty pounds, part of which was then paid, and a sum of £2O kept to meet the bills as they came due. Mr DeLautour: Do you really ask us to believe that a nurse in humble position went and asked you to invest in a dog-cart with £5O of her earnings 1 Debtor: It was bought according to her instructions, I had the use of the trap until I was in a position to pay for it. It was always at her disposal. Mr DeLautor: And now she has allowed you to hypotheeate it as security for law costs ? Debtor: Yes; she came of her own free will and offered it, Mr DeLautour then put the debtor through a long examination, showing the unsatisfactory state of the bankrupt’s accounts, and pointing out the peculiar resemblance of the ink and writing oi the different entries in the books. It appeared that some whose accounts had been balanced up more than once had still separate accounts not entered up in the books, and the debtor’s cash-book, in which these entries were alleged to have been made, was burnt in the fire, together with the file of receipts. Mr DeLautour said the Assignee had been unable to get any information as to these accounts —not even from those with whom the dealings had taken place, and their books, he said, were not burnt. Examination continued: Have given up all the property saved except the two traps, a safe, and a few pictures. Had only been at the house in Palmerston road twice after the fire. On being pressed the debtor admitted baving a cruet, but denied any knowledge of the whereabouts of certain plate. After further questions by counsel His Honor remarked that it was a very curious story with regard to Miss Richardson’s trap. Mr DeLautour: Miss Bichardson has been examined, and she has said no such thing. It is no use prolonging the examination. We wanted to give the bankrupt an opportunity to disclose anything that might be held back. He adheres to the same story, and of course he must abide by that. Examined by Mr Brassey; There was nothing saved belonging to himself except a suit of clothes and the suit that he was wearing. His wife lost all her cluthing except two or three dresses of the children's and her own. Previous to his leaving the Argyll Hotel his wife had a settlement of all land and property and the goods and chattels there. She relinquished that settlement and the proceeds were put into the business. There was about Ll5O to L2OO worth of goods in the hotel before the fire, not included in the bill of sale. Never refused to assist Mr Stubbs. Believed there were some of the horses running on the Whataupoko—did not know whether they had been sold privately or not. A number of blankets and sheets were used tor the purpose of trying to save the building. Saw some goods on The other tide of the road, some cf which had been caught by the heat of the fire. People were not particular how the things were knocked about. Many things were seen to leave the hotel which had not been found again. Had to get a suit of clothes from the Clothing Factory because those he had on were all wet. Had not received any remuneration from the estate since the time of bankruptcy—l6th May. Had attempted to get into business so as to make use of the unexpired license, but was opposed by one of the creditors, and compelled to employ legal assistance, Since the date of the fire he had been dependent on his friends, and had not paid any rent, Had been refused the use of some bedding by Mr Stubbs. To Mr DeLautour: Mr Stubbs had not to his knowledge attempted to break into the house. The things were there if the insurance people wished to see them. Mr DeLautour asked His Honor not to close the examination at the present stage, His Honor granting the request.