ALLEGED ABSCONDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18664, 21 March 1924, Page 7

ALLEGED ABSCONDER.

.vv ■,':,.'- '"■'*! .■"■■ —~-* v. MORRIS SENT -TO TRIAL. SEQUEL TO BANKRUPTCY. DEFICIENCY OF £6289 IN ESTATE.

• The bankrupt builder,,. George Morris (Mr. Finlay), aged 33, who "was recently extradited from Melbourne, appeared in the Police Court yesterday before Mr. if. W. Poynton, S.M., charged with* having left New Zealand taking with him the sum of £20 and upwards which sum should have been divided among his creditors.: :

Mr. Hubble Appeared for the Crown. A clerk in the official assignee's " office at Auckland, deposed that Marm . was declared - 3 bankrupt ,on a. creditor's petition on May 18, 1923. Accused had failed to , attend the creditors' meetings and had furnished no books or other information in regard to his estate. Th« proved debts totalled £5377 16s sd, including £224 for wages. The ';'■ assets realised £87 17s Id, leaving a deficiency of £5289 13s 4d. Morris had- had accounts at two banks, but there was now no money deposited to his credit. Constable Anniss stated that when he took custody of Morris in Melbourne accused admitted bis identity and said he had been working in Victoria under the name of Leslie Davis.'' ,:- *<• :/:*-■ * The general manager of the * Kauri Timber Company stated that accused had obtained goods from his firm on creditHe now owed £495 on 'account- of timbe/ applied. -

An accountant formerly employed by //J. Craig, Ltd.; 'stated that Morris owed that firm £267. v> •■■<■: The manager of the Taupo-Totoro Timber Company deposed thai..accused owed, the company £358 7s lOd. A debt owing to Messrs. " Briscoes', Ltd,!, of £347 14s was stated to be still outstanding. , ~;,'. " .;' '*'",:.", Evidence .was .given to the ' effect that £551 5s lOd was owing to Henderson and Pollard, Ltd., while, a debt; 0f;£606 5s had. been incurred with Winstone, Ltd. One witness deposed to having-; paid Morris £20 5s on acount .of T building work, some days before accused disappeared. This was the sum, alleged to have been retained by .accused when ho absconded. ,-- :

Accused, who pleaded not guilty, reserved bis defence -and was -committed to the Supreme Court for trial.-. Bail was allowed at £500. . ma' A?'