Land Agent Landed

NZ Truth, Issue 943, 22 December 1923, Page 3

Land Agent Landed

COSTLY DINNERS AND CABARET., Casley on the Carpet. When Raymond William Casley, a well-known Auckland land agent, came before the Official Assignee and a number of creditors to explain the causes of his bankruptcy, some peculiar facts were brought to lißht, which elicited remarks of some acerbity from the chairman. Casley was put through a pretty searching examination. His debts were set down at £460. whilst his only assets amounted to cash m hand, £15. Bankrupt told the meeting that he had entered the land and estate agency business m March of last year on his own account, but he had contracted three partnerships m the ensuing 13 months — each partner BRINGING SOME CASH into the business. However, these partnerships were dissolved m quick succession. Casley said that he met his creditors last month and offered to pay them £15 a month on* his debts. The only asset now shown was the first instalment under this arrangement. However, there were certain creditors who were not satisfied with the arrangement, and they forced him to file his schedule. Solicitor Sullivan stirred several awkward admissions from Casley. The bankrupt did not deny that he was actually insolvent when he borrowed £50 from a woman — this was "TO SAVE HIM FROM GAOL." That same night ho was at a dinner party at the Grand Hotel. He admitted that, but declared that it had cost him nothing, as he wa.s a guest. Yes, he was at the Dixieland cabaret on the next evening, and he had then paid far admission for himself and his wife. "That admission was paid for out of* a loan from a woman, which you made no attempt to pay back," declared the solicitor. Casley said he had hoped to pay tho money back, but m reply to further examination, hfe admitted having paid some of his more pressing male creditors, m preference to repaying the loan to the woman who had "saved him from gaol." To the Assignee, Casley said he had ndmitted his la*t partner— in April last — for A CASH CONSIDERATION. bocnußO he was then hopelessly m Holvent. He had been maintained by the hope that business, which had been vory dull, would brighten up nnd hat he would be able to got on his financial feet again. His present position was that ho was earning £5 n weok, whilst his w:(c hnd taken tip part of the burl.Mi by accepting v job In a solicitor's office, where sho was earning £3 10s a week*. There was not a quorum of cred'tors present, so no resolution could bo ItfiHsetl. but the Oflleinl Assigns hud no hesitation m speaking his mind of t nsley. "I think thero are some "Sly features m tho bankruptcy." mill Mr. Fisher. "If n. man can ro to din■i**!' nt the Grand Hotel, and pnv for cabaret parties nt Dixieland whilst he is owing his creditors over £400. his code of honor must be v strange one."