A BANKRUPT NATIVE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 15 October 1925, Page 3

A BANKRUPT NATIVE.

ESTATE OF AYER O A NGAREAVA. Some interesting points were raised at the first mee'ting of creditors held yesterday in the bankrupt estate of a young Maori, AA r eroa Ngarewa. The D.O.A. (Mr R, S. Sage) presided, and there were present: Messrs L. A. Taylor, Rodie (representing H. B. Gibson), P. E. Buckrell and H. M. Poihipi. Mr H. G. Brodie represented Mr T. E. Roberts, solicitor for, bankrupt. Bankrupt in a sworn statement said he had to file because two judgment summons orders had been made, and he was threatened with imprisonment, _and three other judgments had been given against him. These debts were incurred in connection with the death of his father. In one case judgment was given against him for cart repairs for his father. He then borrowed £lO and naid the debt* and then sold the cart. In another case judgment was given against him for work done for his father for partition of land at Taumaha. He thought some of the other debts were really his father’s, who left only the cart and the land interests. He had earned very little for 12 months, getting £5 last season for acting as cook and a little for weeding mangolds, the total earned being under £2O. He had also to keen a niece and nephew. Succession to his father’s interests in lands had been applied for, hut not completed. His share of the AYest Coast Reserve rents would he about £2O per annum. He had a freehold interest in 30! acres in Taumaha, near Mnnutahi. recently leased to Mr .1. Campbell, hut awaiting confirmation. The rent will bring in not more than £4O nor annum. He had* also 13 acres in Mokoin, bringing in £l2 per annum. The unsecured debts were as follow: Hawora —L. A. Taylor £34 14s 7d. Carter and Co. £5. H. M. Poihipi £29 ss, H. B. Gibson £4 ss; Paten—.l. Paterson £9, T. E. Roberts £3O: Mamitahi—A. B. Muggeridge £5 10s. A. Barclay £9 10s 6d, John Campbell £BS 7s 6d," Gearv Bros. £5; Ohangai—J. Tutnho £5 16s 3d; New Plymouth—J. McLeod ftaxi driver) £2 2s; marn— P.' E. Buckrell £3B 10s. Total, £264 0s lOd. Assets nil.

In reply to the D.0.A., bankrupt said lie had received a cart and horse from his fp-ther’s estate and had sold them, getting £5 for the lot. In renlv to Mr Taylor. he said he had a share in land at Mokoia totalling 13! ■loros. He got about £2O per annum for the lease of this land. His father had owned 61 acres in Taumaha Block, nnd his own share was 30-J acres. He had anplied for a succession order, hut it. had not been granted. From his inte”est in land in the Haututu and other block's he received £lO every six months. He had no interest in the

Hiimui Block. Ho did not know it he had interest in land from his mother. The D.O.A. said that rents were not attachable. He emphasised that the storekeeper who gave credit to a Maori should know that he was in a position to lose his money. The point was raised as to Mr Campbell’s (a creditor) position, he being also a lessee and owing an amount tor his lease of land at Manutahi. The D.O.A. said the one could not. be set off against the other, and 1 Mr Campbell would come in as an ordinary creditor only. The bankrupt not being in a position to make any offer to his creditors, the meetng was adjourned sine die.