ABSCONDER'S AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15563, 21 March 1914, Page 8

ABSCONDER'S AFFAIRS.

TRUST MONEYS LOST. LIABILITIES ABOUT £3000. MAN ESCAPES ARREST. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION".] Dtoedlv, Friday. The first meeting of creditors in the estate of John Crisp, solicitor, Palmerston South, was held this afternoon before the official assignee (Mr. Kendall). Crisp disappeared just when a warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of forgery, and he has not been seen since. Some of the larger amounts involved, of which proofs have been presented, are: Agnes Jane Lunan (Glenpark), on whose petition Crisp was adjudicated bankrupt, £624. sums paid to Crisp in April and August, 1912, for investment: Christana McCullough (Palmerston) £212. money received for investment; Edward Butt (Palmerston) £391, money lent; Arthur Heckler (Waikouaiti) £314, on a promissory note; trustees of the Loyal Palmerston Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., £85, interest on mortgages received and unaccounted lor; Michael Dennesy (Goodwood) £200, money received for investment. In all the liabilities, it is believed, will total £3000. Another debt, not proved, was one for £104, due to Miss Horan for board, etc. The assignee said he had not been able to get a complete knowledge of the affairs of bankrupt.' At present, the assets appeared to be the library in his office, and his effects, which might be valued at anything from £50 to £100. In addition there were book debts of a value unknown, and personal effects, including a motor-cycle and a. typewriter, which cost £29. There might also be interest, amounting to about £300 on a mortgage, but on that point he could not speak definitely. Mr. Aslin (who appeared {or Mrs. Lunan, Mr. Heckler, Mr. McCulloch, and the 1.0.0.E4- said that in addition there was a contingent claim of £500 on behalf of the executors of Peter Lunan, which would depend upon other proceedings. Also, on behalf- of the trustees of the lodge, there was a contingent claim for another £500. A creditor asked why, when the warrant was issued, it wa,s not gone on with - ' The assignee said he was assured by the police that ae soon as the writ came into their bands they acted on it, but by the time it reached" Palmerston the man was g</ne. Mr. Calla-n said the Law Society had been mentioned, but it was no part of the duty of the society to arrest the man. Mr. Aslin said he had searched for the warrant, and had found that it was issued on February 24. The Crown solicitor had told him that he had used every expedition in order to get the matter "before the "Court, and counsel learned that detectives were, in Palmerston on February 25. But he also knew that, as far as Waikouaiti was concerned, the constable there knew nothing officially agouti it till March 2. Counsel did not know where the blame rested, mr: I some of his clients were sore and needed an explanation from somewhere. It was finally resolved that Mr. W. B. Galloway be appointed to act as supervisor with the assignee, and with him draw up a report on bankrupt's affairs; and that the meeting be adjourned to a date to be fixed by the assignee when the report is ready.