DISTRICT COURT

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 106, 8 May 1907, Page 8

DISTRICT COURT

(Before District Judge Haselden). A discharge was granted to W. Muggridge, there being no opposition from the D.O.A. L. M. Williamson (Mr Moore) made application for a discharge, which the D.0.A., on behalf of the creditors, opposed. His Honor said that he agreed with Mr Justice Button's remarks, '■ that it was an evil to have a number of undischarged bankrupts about." In granting the discharge he advised the debtor to be content with his trade and not strive to attain the position of a merchant. Jas. Little (Mr Innes) appeared for public examination. Mr Loughnan appeared on behalf of the creditors, the principal being the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile. Debtor was a farmer and stock-dealer at Glen Oroua. He attributed his present position to losses through death of stock. He was examined at considerable length by Mr Loughnan regarding his accounts, and stated that on several occasions in his dealings with the company he complained that items in the accounts rendered to him were incorrect. His Honor objected to several questions asked debtor regarding the accounts, and stated that it was manifestly unfair to bankrupt to have to take a long account and certify as to whether it was correct or not, seeing that he was criminally responsible for every one of his answers. Debtor said he did not keep books, as all his accounts passed through the Loan and Mercantile. He offered to show them his bank book several times but was told that it was unnecessary. MrLoughnan said there was a deficiency of 1257 sheep. Debtor said that he was in a perfectly sound position had the Loan Company carried out their promise. He considered that they had got £4000 from him altogether. The Company had security over everything he possessed. With the exception of the milk cheques, which went to keep the home going, all the other money went through the Loan Company.

Mr Loughnan attempted to show by numerous figures that debtor had been misleading the Company and that he could not account for missing sheep.

The examination was then closed,