LAND TRANSACTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19418, 28 August 1926, Page 15

LAND TRANSACTIONS.

CASE OF JESSE JAMES HILLS. BANKRUPTCY EXAMINATION. WIFE'S PROPERTY INTERESTS. WIDE SCOPE OF DEALINGS. Questions concerning the part he played in transactions as agent tor his wife were put to Jesse James Hills in the Supreme Court yesterday when his public examination in bankruptcy was resumed. Hills was adjudicated bankrupt in October, 1924. The public examination began on March 3 and was adjourned to secure further information regarding the transactions in the name of bankrupt's wife. Mr. Paterson conducted the examination Mr, Cocker appeared for bankrupt and Mr. Cooney, of Te Puke, for a creditor. Mr. Paterson: Since your bankruptcy, have you done any work ? —Bankrupt: No, I have had enough to do looking after my wife's interests. Further questioned regarding transactions in Mrs. Hills' name, bankrupt said: "You can take it from me, Mr. Patergon, that I managed everything for Mrs. Hills." Mr. Paterson: Mrs. Hills has had very little to do with these matters ? She just signs what she is asked to sign ? She generally asks what it is about, but she is not very much interested in financial matters. Loan from Proceeds of Sale. I Bankrupt also said that some years ago his wife had a good deal of propel ty at Strathmoro, Taranaki. The properties were sold and his wife lent him the money. Questioned about the districts in which he had had banking accounts, bankrupt admitted that among them were Hawera, Patea, Palmerston North, Eltham, Stratford, Inglewood and Christchurch. His Honor: I suppose you did not desert Auckland? (Laughter.) Bankrupt: No, I had an account here. His Honor: Why did you have such a plethora of accounts ?—Bankrupt: It saved exchange. Two books, a ledger and a cash-book, were produced. Bankrupt said he knew nothing of their contents. A man named Neilson kept the books. Ho did not keep a separate account between bankrupt and his wife. "It would not be much use for me to go through the books," said bangrupt, "it would need an auditor—l would be lost." Mr. Paterson: I am afraid an auditor would be lost, too. Sum of £4500 "A Mere Trifle." Bankrupt was questioned at some length, first about property transactions between his wife, himself and a man named Wright and other transactions in widely separated districts. His Honor.: Yon seem to have a hold on most parts of New Zealand. Bankrupt's reply regarding a further transaction led His Honor to remark, "Perhaps it is one of the sales he has forgotten." Mr. Paterson remarked that an amount of £4500 was involved. His Honor: That is a mere trifle. (Laughter.) To the Bankrupt: Did you give the official assignee a note of all your transactions •?—Bankrupt: I am not aware that I withheld, auvthing. fci; • Yon "are not quite certain?—l got a note the other day about soma shares that were 14 or 15' years old . Of course, • 1000 acres is neither hero nor there.—Oh no! This was a case of shares I had forgotten about. His Honor: I hope thev were valuable. Thousands Owed to Wife. Questioned by Mr, Cooney, bankrupt paid he was indebted to his. wife to tha extent of thousands of pounds, "I have maintained that all along," he added. ■ Mr. Cooney asked bankrupt what vn entry of £SO in one of his pass-books represented. 'Don't be silly," replied bankrupt. Mr. Cooney: I. wish I had some of your silliness in financial transactions. Bankrupt said the amount represented stamps and commission. , ."What about this entry of £200?" asked Mr. Cooney. "Go on!" said bankrupt. "Get it off your chest! You have been singing this everlasting hymn of hate for years. Make it as dirty as you like." Mr. Cooney: Is it another security?— Yes. Mrs. Hills has had the money sine*. Mr. Cooney • How do yon account for the fact that a man named Stuart, who was among those who petitioned for the bankruptcy, proved only for the cost of the petition ?—I suppose I gave the amount. You squared him ?-—Ob no. The matter was fixed up hy Mi's. Hills. In reply to Mr. Cocker, bankrupt said that wnen property was sold by Mrs. Hills, and a mortgage given back in his riatne, that was to settle ths balance of .indebtedness, or else there was a discrepancy in the statement. There were only two creditors who would not give him a chance. One was Mr. Coono.y's client.