ALLEGED ABSCONDING

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 183, 4 August 1920, Page 5

ALLEGED ABSCONDING

DISCHARGED FItO;M CUSTODY

[Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, Aug. 3

lief ore His Honor i Sir John Salniond an application :was made by Thomas Irwin calling upon the F:irinors' Co-operative Society, Hawera. to show cause why he,.should not be discharged from custody.l It win had been--in gaol .since last Friday, when he was: arrested on a warrant telegraphed .from Hawera* alleging that he was:an absconding debtor, and intended to leave New Zealand. His counsel said that Irwin had no intention; of leaving the Dominion. He had not oven applied for a. permit. ; ■ . Mr A. H. Johnstone said debtor owed the Society £910. He owned a farm near Patea Hei received £200 and then disappeared.; There was an impression, based on I something his wife said, that they; were going to America. The debtor left. certain stock on the farm. !This was sold, but there t was £342 owing to the Society.

Irwin gave evdence that in last November he purchased a farm of 220 acres for £9^oo, paying no cash. He sold it in Jv.ly at a profit of £1100. After paying all his debts he luid "£l6O. M/>antin.e he bought, rattle for £990. He did not pay for tiioin. Before leaving Hawera he gave instructions to the auctioneers of the Farmers' Co-op. Society to sell them.*- As the nifti-ket dropped tiie cattle realised £342 less than the purchase price. The juqgo made an order for discharge from custody on condition that the debtor reported daily to the police. He thought the creditor was oiiito justified in having the warrant issued, as the man went away without leaving an address.