PAINTER'S BANKRUPTCY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16098, 11 December 1915, Page 5

PAINTER'S BANKRUPTCY

MEETING OF CREDITORS.

The first meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of W. Wardleworth, of Pukekohe, painter, was held at the official assignee's office yesterday afternoon. Debts to unsecured creditors totalled £402, there being a deficiency of about £270. The official assignee, Mr. W. S. Fisher, said that he was informed that when debtor was made bankrupt he was asked to attend a private meeting of creditors and was requested to file his petition. He did not do so as he did not have the money, thus incurring an expenditure of £20 to be met by the creditors. One of the creditors said that the debtor had not taken the trouble to attend a private meeting of creditors. Debtor said that the reason for his absence from the meeting was that he was misinformed as to the date of the meeting by his solicitor. Mr. Fisher said that the solicitor should have been present to corroborate his statement. In the course of his examination debtor seated thai) he did nothing to evade his creditors. He bought a piano, which cost £69, for the children, and of this amount £14 . was still owing. This statement caused one of the creditors to remark that he himself had to be satisfied with one which cost much less than that. Wardloworth further stated that he had had increased expenses during the past few months, chiefly in connection with the marriage of his daughter. The official assignee said that he had been advised that the stock-in-trade vas worth only £45. Mr. A. G. Graham, who represented Messrs. Briscoe and Co., stated that he intended to oppose the bankrupt's discharge to the fullest extent. The meeting was adjourned sine die.