BANKRUPTCY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8471, 23 January 1891, Page 6

BANKRUPTCY.

MEETINGS OF CREDITORS. A meeting of the creditors of Walter William Crawford was to have been held yesterday, but lapsed for want of a quorum. The filing took place on May 7th, 1887, and on the June following the creditors requested the Official Assignee to delay his discharge.

DEBTOR'S EXAMINATION. John Thomas Smith, being examined by the Official Assignee yesterday made the following statement: — Previous to about twelve months ago I was enaged as an hotelkeeper in Melbourne, a business I had had for thirteen months, starting with a clear capital of my own of £400. It was not a success, chiefly because I failed to complete a leasehold arrangement. There was a lien over the furniture, etc., of £6.")0, the purchase money being £1000. I was compelled to abandon thie to the bill of sale holder, and came to Auckland, as stated, without any means whatever. The Club Hotel in Shortland-street was then about finished, and I took it on a lease for rive years at a rental of £10 per week exclusive of rates and taxes. My wife had some furniture and money of her own, acquired previous to our marriage I made an arrangement for £350 worth of furniture for the hotel, £100 was to be paid down and the balance by instalments of £5 per month. My wife advanced the £100. The business was carried on in my name. When I left Melbourne I owed £872 10d, but a portion of this was secured. Three months ago some of these creditors became pressing for their money. One of them got judgment, followed by execution. When this creditor found that the landlord's claim for rent and the bill of sale holder for his lien absorbed everything, he withdrew the bailiff. These proceedings damaged my credit, and necessitated my abondoning the hotel, with £150 in cash for goodwill from my successor, to whom the bill of s lie on the furniture was transferred. This £150 was distributed amongst pressing creditors by the broker who sold my interests. About three months since my wife took the St. Heliers Bay Hotel. The only connection I have with this hotel is that the license was taken out in my name, this being necessary to comply with the regulations of the Licensing Board. I reside on the premises, and assist in conducting the business, but I have no pecuniary interest whatever. I have ordered goods tor the Sfc. Heliers Bay Hotel, but always distinctly in my wife's name. 1 cannot say that it was generally known that I had no interest in the business. The only available assets are two promissory notes and one cheque of old standing, of the value of £217, which I believe to be recoverable, and the balance of the license fee, about £10. To the best of my belief I have disclosed everything I possess in the nature of assets. In addition to the £272 10a referred to I owe £177, contracted within the last 12 months.