MEETINGS OF CREDITORS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 387, 12 July 1879, Page 11

MEETINGS OF CREDITORS.

A meeting of creditors to the estate of Douglas Firmin, farmer, Waiwetu, was called for Saturday at the office of Messrs. Buckley, Stafford, and Fitzherbert, but lapsed for want of a quorum. A meeting of creditors of Pv. J. Duncan was held at the Court House on Tuesday, Mr. Can-oil in the chair. It was resolved that the furniture be re-leased to the debtor, absolutely and beneficially. A meeting of creditors of Mr. Nash, builder, was held at the Supreme Court on Tuesday forenoon, Mr. Stephenson in the chair. The trustee explained that the meeting had been called in order to decide concerning claims for wages which had been made, and which amounted to £24 10s. The statement of the debtor's affairs showed that the liabilities were £575 IDs. 10d., and that the trustee had collected £B3 of assets. This sum, however, was reduced by sundry expenses, leaving £2l 18s. for distribution arnougst the creditors. There was only about £7 remaining to collect, and £2 of this was promised by Monday. A motion was made that the wages be paid to the extent of 10s. in the pound, but the men to whom the amount was owing declined to accept this, saying that by law they should have the whole, and that what was outstanding should be got in, so that their claim could be satisfied. It was pointed out that any further delay would only involve the estate in additional expenses, and thus reduce the amount at present available, but the men were firm in their refusal to accept the proposed composition, and the meeting consequently adjourned sine die. An adjourned meeting of creditors iu the estate of Mr. Philip, contractor, was also held, Mr. Gills, trustee, in the chair. The first meeting had been adjourned to enable the debtor to furnish a statement of receipts and expenditure, but as he had failed to attend with the desired statement a notice was sent beeu held on Tuesday, but as there was no warrant would be issued for his arrest. He attended, in compliance with the order, but had not brought the statement desired, he pleading his inability to make one out, as he had not kept any books. He was then examined viva voce, and deposed on oath that he had previously sworn that Mr. McCarthy had lent him £2O. He had since seen Mr. McCarthy, who had said he would not attend the meeting, as there was ro good his wasting time over it. The money was lent between March and April tMs year. He gave no receipt for it. He had never borrovved anything from Mrs. McCarthy. He had never given McCarthy any security for the loan. The cart sold to McCarthy was a bona fide sale, and was not given as security. The cart was sold for £2O. The money lent by McCarthy was borrowed in the street. McCarthy was " pretty well tight " when lie lent the money. It was on a Saturday, after McCarthy had received pay from the Corporation, that he lent this money. He could not understand McCarthy denying to some of the creditors having lent this money. He had had £2O returned to him by the Corporation, and this>was given him on account of the poverty of his family. The greater part of this sum was spent in drapery and boots for his children. His property was sold just before Christmas for £IOO ;"£4O of this went for the land, and the rest was spent on the contract. The contract was £BBO, and he had received £220. He had spent £350 on the contract. After some further examination of the debtor, it was decided that it was useless attempting to go on without the written statement previously ordered, and the meeting was adjourned to give him time to furnish it, the creditors expressing themselves as being determined to enforce compliance with this order, even if they had recourse to extreme measures.

A first meeting of creditors of Mr. E. Muncaster, watchmaker, Wellington, was to have him. ordering his attendance on Tuesday, or a quorum present, it stood adjourned till to-day. A meeting of creditors in the estate of W. F. Mason, blacksmith, was held at the Supreme Court House on Wednesday, when Mr. Bimant was elected trustee, in the room of Mr. Charles Ellaby, resigned. A meeting of creditors in the estate of Denis Kelly, cabed for on Wednesday at the office of the trustee, Mr. S. Carroll, lapsed for want of a quorum. A private meeting of the creditors of Mr. C. 11. Ellaby was held on Wednesday at Messrs. Levin and Co.'s office, Mr. W. 11. Levin in the chair. There was a very large and influential attendance, and it is about the first case amongst the many on record where the creditors were unanimous in granting time to the debtor on his own recognizances. We believe that the arrangements are that Mr. Ellaby is allowed to carry on. his own business subject to the supervision of Mr. W. H. Levin and' Mr. J. Stuart Reid, giving his own bills for amounts due at four, six, and nine months. Several of the creditors present spoke highly of the character of the debtor, and there was a remarkable absence of any unpleasant remarks throughout the proceedings.