BANKRUPTCY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1193, 11 January 1895, Page 36

BANKRUPTCY.

There were "all sorts and conditions " of bankrupts last year, 44 trades and businesses being represented in the 68 bankruptcies declared during the year. Storekeepers head the list, there being four who had to seek the protection of the Court. Of labourers, tailors, bakers and cordial manufacturers there wore three each, and railway employees, butchers, milkmen, boardinghouse-keepers, commission agents, clerks, tobacconists, architects, hotelkeepers, settlers, contractors, drivers andl cabinetmakers are represented by two each., The remainder of the bankrupts were ass follow:—Coal merchant, farmer, printer,, auctioneer, grocer, compositor, boilermaker, carter, coach proprietor, messenger, builder, lighterman, ironmonger, settler, circus proprietor, canvasser, tanner, hairdresser, plumber and gasfitter. David G. Whitaker, confectioner, Cuba street, who has been adjudged a bankrupt, in his statement to the Assignee says that about five years ago he began business as a confectioner with a sum of .£6O and a small plant. Owing to illness he was unable to attend to his business for a period of over two yeari. He went to. Christchurch eight times during his illness,, his doctor having advised him to go there* for the benefit of his health. In consequence of his absence he had to employ labour to carry on the business, and th© profits fell away considerably. He had never been able to get the trade back. During these two years his wife and three children were unwell, and one child died. He paid large sums of money to doctors during the period. Owing to the dulness of trade and pressure by his creditors he had been compelled to seek the protection of the Court. The liabilities amount to £371 3s sd, and the assets are estimated at £l9, and consist of stock-in-trade valued at £sl 0s 10d; book debts, £5 7s 6d; furniture, £l4; and sui'plus from securities in hands of secured creditors, £8 17s. The principal creditors; are—Phoenix Insurance Company, £5 3sId; Eigg and Whittaker, .£l4 16s 7d; A. Hawker, .£23 15s ; W. and G. Turnbull and. Co., .£72 lis; Phoenix Confectionery Company, Dunedin, .£57 0s lid; McPherson,. Kemp and Co., Dunedin, .£72 lis; Berry and Co., Christchurch, .£22; Wellington Biscuit Company, £7 18s 2d; Griffin audi Co., .£46; Hudson and Co., £7 15s ; and Zempthorne, Prosser and Co., .£6 6s. The< secured creditors are Whittaker Bros., whohold security valued at £37 17s for a debt of £29. The creditors meet at 11 a.m. on Friday.