ALLEGED FRAUD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 August 1926, Page 5

ALLEGED FRAUD.

FARMER WALKS OFF PROPERTY FARM TRANSFERRED TO HIS WIFE. 3Y CABLE-PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. NEW PLYMOUTH, Aug. Hi. Allegations of fraudulent intent on the part of a farmer id transferring his property and effects to his wife prior to his bankruptcy were made in the Supreme Court during the hearing of an action brought by the D.O.A. against Martha Knapton. The case is one in which application is made to have declared void certain documents relating to the transfer of property by T. Ivnapton, recently a dairy farmer, of South Taranaki, to his wife, who is the defendant in the proceedings. Counsel for the plaintiff alleged that Knapton performed a number of acts intended to bring pressure to bear on the mortgagee, so that the mortgagee would take" back a farm bought from him by Knapton at boom prices, and that because he was not successful he transferred his assets to his wife and walked off the property'. Briefly' the case consisted of an action by the D.O.A. to have some assignments made by Knapton upset. Knapton originally held the lease from a man named Hutchinson, from whom he eventually obtained the freehold of the property. Plaintiff submitted that after the slump in 19,21 Knapton foresaw that when the purchase money for the property became duo the, property would not be worth what he paid for it, so he accordingly' transferred this property to his wife. The case is not completed.