SUPREME COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8539, 20 March 1908, Page 6

SUPREME COURT.

BREACHES OF THE BANKRUPTCY ACT. PALMERSTON— THURSDAY. (Before Mr_ Justice Cooper.) Francis Robert Linton, stock dealer, was charged with having committed a breach of the Bankruptcy Act by incurring debts without having any reasonable expeeetation of being able to p«> them, and by failing to keep P£°P® r books within three years of his bankappeared for accused and Mr Loughnan for the Crown. The following jury was empanelled : — G. Cridland (foreman), A. W._Just, A. Spratt, J. Brophy W. H. Ford J. Mundy, A. J. Colhs, J. W. Hands F. E. Waters, J. O'Connor, T. Hackett, and T. Arrowsmith. G J. Scott, D.0.A., submitted the evidence taken in the lower Court. He stated that the total amount of debts proved against bankrupt was £893 3s ,cl. To Mr Gillespic: He had had several stock dealers' estates in his hands, and none of them kept books. He could not say whether it was usual for stock dealers to keep books. Linton coula have kept his books well enough had he chosen to do so. Tho largest amounts of bankrupt's stock transactions were Murray. Roberts and Co. 0.n.-if,. The jury returned a verdict ol guiltj. His Honor stated that as accused was a married man with a family of eleven children, it would mean that if ho wore sent to gaol the family would be lelt alone in straitened circumstances. t was only in exceptional cases that he extended the benefit of the First Offenders' Probations Act, but in this case it was better to do so, in order that prisoner might got work and earn some money with which to support his family. Prisoner was admitted to probation for two years. James Little, farmer. Glen Oroua. was charged with having committed a breach of the Bankruptcy Act by incurring debts which ho had no reasonable expectation «f being able to pay. and failing to keep proper books within three years of his bankruptcy. Mr Inr>es appeared for bankrupt and Mr Loucvhnan for the Crown. Tho following jury was empanelled: — A. Drew (foreman). T. 11. Verry, L. Stephenson, 11. Ryman. J. Follas. N. Campbell, E. W. A. A. G. Bork, J. H. Watt, 11. Guy, B. Eglm--ton. and G. Hall. . G. J. Scott, D.0.A.. handed in the evidence taken in tho lower Court. The jury returned a verdict of no., guilty, and the- prisoner was discharged.