In Bankruptcy.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1586, 22 April 1887, Page 5

In Bankruptcy.

James Ashcroft, Esq., held meetings on Thursday in the Queenstovvii Court-house as official assignee in bankruptcy, when he examined the accounts and statements in the insolvent estates of W. J. Powell, late road inspector for Lake County Council, and Ah Quie, Chinese storekeeper, Queenstown, The evidence in either case is too voluminous to report, and dejiended upon detailed facts recorded in Court. In the first case the bankrupt (W. J. Powell) admitted ownership of a horse that could not be easily found, and he was ordered to bring in same for sale. He accounted for his position through being deprived of his office cs county inspector; that he was paid £250 a year salary, but had two horses to keep and no travelling ex|«enses allowed. He hail maintained his family upon this, paid rates and charges upon his freehold section, which had been handed over to Court and sold by auction. He had kept six children, three of whom were dependent upon hiin si ill. Had only earned £35 since his bankruptcy, and this was expended in keeping house and family. He had no mortgages. His eldest daughter managed affairs, bought goods and submitted the accounts to him for approval. Knew his daughter had made a claim for wages. She had been advised to do so by the creditors. He had made uo engagement with her as to payment of wages, or any remuneration for services so rendered. She Ind taken care of the family since September, 1532, the time of his wife's death. Miss Powell gave confirmatory evidence, and expected some recognition of her services. The official assignee regretted he must dismiss the claim, as there was no evidence that any contract existed for wanes. She had been, however, provided with bouse shelter, clothes and sustenance. He was, however, willing to recommend to the Judge of the district Court a claim for maintenance, as the evidence given appeared truthful. A claim was subsequently handed in under the Act for maintenance from March last at £2 per week. Two w ills were produced, dated 14th Septcmlier, ISS2. One to be signed by the deceased wife of bankrupt, and the o'her by the bankrupt, touching some freel.nl 1 sec. tions of land in Queenstown, the property of bankrupt's wife. During their preparation the deceased woman became unconscious. Under the Wills Act it is necessary t.> have some signification of intention, but this w as wanting either in jiencil or writing, An order was made that the property be administered by the official assignee on b» half of creditors, as Mrs Powell died inte«*atc. Also, that £lO be plid out of estate towards insolvent's maintenance and cost.s.

The examination of Ah Quie by the official assignee, occupied some hours. The bankrupt was ordered to restore goods placed in the hands of another Chinese firm lately connected with him. The liabilities are about £SOO, but the assets are not realisable to that amount. Dunedin creditors are the heaviest sufferers according to statement tiled. Receipt?, payments and contras were gone into by Mr Ashcroft. The h> e s was attributed chiefly to bad debts due by Chinese customer*. It appears from the evidence that bankrupt had gdven cm lit frr<!y at low prices. M* hud accounted f<jr £233 10-,-s by tobacco Rperiil.itioii, £7O a pleasure trip to Auckland, and I'll lost by gambling upon a "speilerV arrangement. The offi.-isl assignee expressed an opinion that he miidit recover this amount as ii was shown to be in the hands of the police—the "spielers" having been criminally sentenced nt the Supreme Court, Dunedin. A veiv amusing record arose out of bankrupt's matrimonial attemi t*. and the money' he had "xpended upon mr tiers to secure a wife—jewciieiy, silk drew, theatres, etc. Mr M'l'h'-rson. Inveivargill, as well as a reprrscn'ative of Dnmdin creditors, give evidence, and the examination by the < )li'-t d a-signee wws a searching on-. The latter gentleman stnted that, had he the povvc , he won!.! have committed bankrupt for trial oil a ehar/e cf fraud.