BANKRUPT FARMER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19658, 9 June 1927, Page 14

BANKRUPT FARMER.

« FORCED INTO POSITION." ATTITUDE OF HIS SON. SYMPATHY OF CREDITOR. , "As far as I am my sym- j pathy is with bankrupt; he was forced into this position by his own son," said the official assignee, Mr. G. N. Morris, after examining William Alexander Burgess, farmer, of BucklandTs Beach, yesterday. There was only one creditor present. The schedule showed a deficiency of £ll7 10s. The sum of £125 was owing to unsecured creditors, the assets comprising shares in tho Farmers' Union Trading Company, being valued at £7 10s. In a statement, bankrupt said he had been employed for the past 20 years by Buckland, Elliott and Company on their Buckland's Beach property. During the latter portion of this period he had been share-milking, and for the year ended February 28, 1927, his average monthly earnings totalled £l7 10s. For three years after the war he had to provide for seven persons, and this consumed all his savings. Toward the end of 1923 his son, William Burgess, was desirous of getting married, and in order* to assist him bankrupt agreed to give him employment on the farm for £3 a week. In May of last year his son proceeded against him for £6B, being the balance of about £3OO owing for wages. Bankrupt confessed judgment, but was unable to meet the debt. In September, 1926, the son took further proceedings in the Magistrate's Court to attach the money coming to bankrupt under the share-milking agreement, but the magistrate refused togrant attachment, as bankrupt had no other means for the support of his wife and daughter. In March of this year the son issued a charging order nisi against bankrupt's returns. Bankrupt took proceedings to have this order set aside in view of the fact that it would leave him absolutely destitute, but he was unsuccessful. Bankrupt added that he was 62 and had a delicato daughter dependent on him. As the result of the charging order lie was left without means to pay expenses and wages. He attributed his bankruptcy solely to the action taken by his son against him. He would have endeavoured to pay if he had had the means. Examined by the assignee, bankrupt said his share-milking contract had been cancelled, and he was now working on the farm for £3 10s a week wages. In reply to Mr. Gallagher, counsel for the son, bankrupt said he had offered to come to a settlement with his son before the bankruptcy proceedings were taken. " I have known Burgess for the past 25 years and he is absolutely honest and truthful in every respect," stated the creditor. " I would ask that his discharge be-facilitated. I think it is scandalous that bankrupt, who has done a large amount of pioneering work' and brought up a large family, should be put in this position by his son." The Assignee: I admit it is very hard on him. As there was not a quorum present, no resolution wa3 passed.