A BANKRUPT'S LEASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13672, 13 February 1908, Page 6

A BANKRUPT'S LEASE.

PECULIAR CASE AT DUNEDIN* [by TELEGRAPH.—PRESS association.] Duxedlv, Wednesday. At a. meeting of the Otago Land Board yesterday reference was made to recent statements made in his bankruptcy examination by William C. Pitches, the lessee of a small grazing run in the Tio-er Hill district. Pitches has never resided on his run, having been granted exemption. He took up his lease on July 27, 1893, signing the usual declaration. At his recent examination he was reported to have said that he never put anything into the run and had never got anything out of it, that he had no interest in the run, that it belonged to his father, that he never owned sheep, and never paid any rent. One clause of the declaration signed by applicants for land reads: " That I am purchasing such lease solely for my own use and benefit and not directly or indirectly for use or benefit of any other person or persons."

The ..Commissioner said that the declaration made by Pitches still applied, though a slight variation of conditions had granted him exemption from residence some years ago. ,

The Board decided to require Pitches to appear on March 10 to show cause why the lease .should not be declared forfeited.