BANKRUPTCY RETURNS

New Zealand Mail, 22 January 1902, Page 61

BANKRUPTCY RETURNS

The Official Assignee at Wellington has compiled a return in the regular form cf the transactions in bankruptcy for 1901 iu his several districts. The districts for which Mr Ashcroft is appointed are Wellington,* Palmerston North, Napier, Wanganui. Masterton, Blenheim, Nelson, Westport, Reefton, Hokitika and Greyrtiouth. In the Wellington district there were 18 adjudications in 1901, against 35 in 1900. In the districts under deputies there were 69 adjudications against 90 in tlie previous year. For tlie combined districts, the total was 87 against ; 131.

In addition to there being a decrease ill adjudications, the quality of the estates which came into the Assignee’s hands in | 1901 showed an improvement. This im- I provement began in 1900, but' it was I more noticeable last year. Up to 1900 the quality of the estates dealt with ) had been falling away. j Following are the figures for the j combined districts for last year, with those for 1900 in j ventheses: — . Petitions by demurs, 78 (117). Applications on petitions by creditors, 9 (14). Composition accepted, nil (1). Orders of immediate discharge granted by the Court, 29 (61). Cases in which orders of discharge were suspended by the Court, 18 (22). j | Assets as per statements filed (ex--1 eluding amounts secured to creditors), ' £16,301 14s lOd (£26.024 Is 8d). Amounts secured to creditors (not i included in previous paragraph). £9678 ; 10s 9d (£46,847 14s sd). j Liabilities as per statements filed (excluding amounts secured to creditors), £31,166 15s lid (£52,253 os Id). I Amount cf assets realised by Asj signoe, £13,743 3s 2d (£12,117 4s 8d). Amount of debts proved, £27.745 13s 4d (£41,530 12s lOd). ; Amount paid in dividends (excluding preferential and secured claims), ■ £Bll2 4s lid (£(>l67 9s lOd). | Amount paid for preferential claims : (rents, rates, wages, etc.), £1391 18s ; lid (£2OOI 17s Gdj. i Amount paid for secured claims, i £1073 5s lOd (£SO 15s 9d.) i Amount paid for Government com- ! mission, £616 13s Id (£622 14s 2d). Amount paid for costs of actions, solicitors’ and supervisors’ fees, £BB6 15s 8d (£921 16s Gd).

Expenses incurred in carrying on estates for the benefit of creditors, £554 6s 4d (£ll7O 6s). Other charges, £Bl4 7s lid (£ll4l 18s lid). Balance in bank on Ist January, £2576 16s lid. (£2542 10s lid). Balance in bank on 31st December, £2870 7s od (£2576 16s lid). It should be noted that the amount

stated as paid in dividends includes estates other than those of the year stated. This renders a comparison somewhat difficult-