BANKRUPTCY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10037, 25 January 1896, Page 3

BANKRUPTCY.

A MEETING in the estate of Richard Webb, market gardener, of Onehunga, called yesterday morning, lapsed for want of a quorum. Tlier., were two creditors present, and it was decided that they should bear the costs of the sale of the bankrupt's properties at Onehunga, the moneys accruing from which will bo devoted to the creditors. A third creditor, who subsequently arrived, agreed to the arrangement, and his name was accordingly added to the list of siguatures handed to Mr. Lawson, the Official Assignee. Ernest Arthur Frost's Statement.— Ernest Arthur Frost, a bankrupt, being sworn yesterday morning, made the following statement before the Official Assignee :- For several years I have resided along with my wife and family on my mother's farm at Ararimu Norlh, and made a living by gumdigging and casual work in the locality. My average earnings for the last two years have been from 25s to 30s per week, The farm is quite unproductive, and is of no advantage to me beyond the shelter the house afforded. I paid no rent for it. I have seven children to support, all of whom are under the age of 14 years. My mother is of independent means, and resides at Epsom, though I get no assistance from her other than the privilege of living on tho farm rent free. In February, 1894, I did some work for tho Waitemata County Council to the value of £4 43, but tho engineer was not satisfied with the work, and offered me only half of what I claimed. This I refused to accept, and an action has since been taken ion. me T t0 enforce . Payment. In April, Sr' , Wf ! 3 ft PPomted deputy returning officer during the election contest between Messrs. Massey and Palmer. In the course of the duty 1 had occasion to travel from Dairy Flat to the Wade on horseback on a dark night. My horse fell into a hole on the road which had been loft totally un. protected, and the result was serious injury to myself, necessitating medical attendance for four or five months I was advised to enter an action' for damages, and did so, claiming £200. The action was tried at the Supremo Court in March, 1895, and the jury returned a verdict against me, and the Judge awarded the Council costs to the amount of £54 5s Sd. I borrowed money from my mother to pay my own counsel, but have made no effort to pay the costs awarded by the Court. All I possess in the nature of assets is my household furniture, worth about £20. My liabilities consist of Comity Council costs £51 5$ Bd, loans from my mother and a friend £61, loan from my solicitor to pay bankruptcy filing fee £6, two storekeepers £8 17s lid: total £130 3s 7d. The £61 borrowed from my mother and a friend was used for the maintenance of the family whilst I was disabled by the accident previously referred to, and for the payment of my counsel and witnesses. lam at the present time only in a position to make a bare living, and have 110 prospects whatever of discharging my liabilities. A meeting of creditors in tho estate was called for half-past two o'clock in the afternoon, but lapsed for want of a quorum.