MEETING OF CREDITORS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 850, 15 June 1888, Page 10

MEETING OF CREDITORS.

A meeting of creditors in the estate of Martin O’Brien, messenger, was held in the Official Assignee’s Office last Friday morning. There were three ci'editors present, and Mr C. C. Graham (Official Assignee) presided. Mr IMenteath appeared for the debtor, who presented a statement to the effect that he had been in Wellington for the past 11 years, and during that time lie had been employed as niessenger in an insurance office at a salary of Ll2 a month, L 3 of which he paid for rent. His wife, through illness,' had to proceed to Victoria, where she re-

mained for 18 months. The trip cost him LIOO, and on her return he was obliged to re-furnish a house, which cost LSO. He, had been paying off this amount by instalments, or interest on the money owing. During the last two years he had backed bills for some friends, who Were Hot iil U position td pay them when they became due, and he was consequently thus further involved. A judgment had been obtained against him during the past few weeks, and as he was unable to pay the amounts he had to seek the protection of the Bankruptcy Court. In examination the debtor said that he had a wife and two children, aged 14 and 3 years respectively. His wife lost her health through keeping a boardinghouse, and when he went to Victoria he sold the furniture, giving her the money. Had kept no books or accounts of any kind. It was not true that he was in the habit of knocking about hotels. Ho did not refuse a drink if it was offered him. Mr Menteath said the debtor had acted as agent for Mr Blower in money matters, and that was why he had come to back so many bills. The debtor stated that the commissions lie received from Mr Blower were trifling, and he generally knocked them down in the course of the evening in beer and whisky. Never received more than 3s or 5s as commission. Mr Blower stated that he had lent money to several people on the debtor endorsing the bills. The debtor stated that he had put L2OO as commission into Mr Blower’s pocket. Mr Blower denied this. The debtor further stated that he had borrowed the sum of Lll from the Te Aro Loan Company, which he spent enjoying himself at the races. He lost the money through backing Mr Blower’s horse. Mr Blower told him he thought the horse would win. The accounts owing to Messrs P. Casey, Kimbell, and Downes were for whisky, which had been run up at different times. All the money owing to Preston’s estate was for liquor. Mr Preston had not pressed him for the money. Mr Blower remarked that Mr Preston went bankrupt through not pressing fellows like the debtor. The debtor said Mr Blower needn’t talk; he might be bankrupt himself before long. Had been a bankrupt twice before in Auckland and once in Wellington, b.ufc on neither occasion was he able to pay a dividend. J. Brady’s account was also for whisky. Got a suit of clothes from Mr Murphy on the 19tli May, after which he was summoned by Mr Blower. Had received the sum of L 22 12s from the Empire Loan and Discount Co. in March last, and had paid it away to sundry creditors. He paid L 3 a montk out of his salary for rent, but had not been alsle to live on the balance. He would be able to do so when he got clear of his present debts. His life was insured for LIOO, but the poKcy was mortgaged. He could make no offer to his creditors. Mr A. W. Browii considered tho bankruptcy one of the most disgraceful things he had ever heard of. On the motion of Mr Brown, seconded by Mr A. Lindsay, it was decided to adjourn the meeting for a fortnight in order to give the debtor an opportunity of making an offer. The debtor said it would be all the same if lie was allowed twe’ve months. The Official Assignee had frequently to reprove the bankrupt for tile manner in which he had answered the questions put to him, and for his general conduct at the meeting, which, Mr Graham said, was anything but respectful. The meeting then adjourned.