Bankrupts Discharged

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7295, 4 August 1930, Page 5

Bankrupts Discharged

In the Palmerston North Supreme Court last Saturday, discharges from bankruptcy were granted James Johnston, labourer, and Loreanza Ann Johnston, domestic of Palmerston North; Edward Coley, lorry driver, of Pahiatua; Edmund Bell (Mr. Yortt), butcher, of Daunevirke, and Vivian Smith (Mr. Oram), butcher, of Dannevirke. A conditional discharge was granted John Thomas Taylor (Mr. Baldwin); labourer, of Palmerston North, former: ly farmer, of Shannon. Mr. Baldwin stated that Taylor went bankrupt in 1921 and applications made in 1923 and 1927 for discharge were refused, tho Official Assignee having to ported unfavourably. There was still an unfavourable report with no new material in support. The question was whether Taylor was going to bo kept a bankrupt for ever. The allegation against him was that ho sold a. small quantity of goods which tho Official Assignee claimed belonged to the estate yet received the proceeds of. Taylor was a married man with seven children, two of whom were dependent upon him. He had been Working so long as he could find work and his last employment wa3 with the railway. Unfortunately, he had been among the recent dismissals. Now, however, he had tho opportunity of going farming in a joint concern. Mr. Baldwin contended there should be a limit to the time of bankruptcy. Taylor had said that ho had misunderstood tho Assignee in regard to the goods sold. His Honour said he had read the report of the Assignee. Taylor seemed to have sat down on a section and put the Commissioner of Crown Lands to the expense of putting him off. Mr. Baldwin intimated that bankrupt had paid his creditors nothing, but might be able to do so. His Honour commented that a person like bankrupt was likely to bo a dangerous person. He had incurred a debt as an undischarged bankrupt. However, ho would not penalise a man for ever, but would grant tho discharge on condition that Taylor paid 15 guineas costs in relation to the possession action taken by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Mr. F. C. Litchfield appeared for the D.O.A.