In Bankruptcy.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 6870, 21 April 1897, Page 1

In Bankruptcy.

A meeting of the creditors in the estate of Albert Bartley was held in the Assignee's office yesterday, when thefollowing creditors were present :—Messrs J. Campbell (Enfield), L 9 2s 6d ; George Bruce, miller, LI 53 ; A. Sinclair, contractor, L2. The assignee stated that there was nothing in the estate. The bankrupt, in reply to questions, said that out of LSO due to him for valuation on his section at Maerewhenua he got L2l 9s, the balance going to pay an attachment order of Mr Headland's, who had got judgment] against him for an account. This L2l 9s he received on the Friday, and he then went to Duntroon, remaining at Pryde's Hotel all night, and on Saturday he came to Oamaru. The hotel bill and train fare absorbed L 5. In Oamaru he spent L 5 for food and clothes for family, L 6 filing costs and had LI for pocket money. The balance L 4 9s he gave to his wife for food etc. for the family. The whole of this money, he said, was spent by Monday morning. Mr George Bruce asked why a letter sent to him ordering flour was signed " A. Barclay " when the bankrupt's name waß A. Bartley. He sent the flour up thinking it was for some of the Barclay family. Bankrupt said that he knew nothing o£ the order. It might have been his wife who signed it that way. He knew his wife obtained flour from Mr Bruce. The Assignee also pointed out that the signature to the bankrupt's statement was "A. Bantley," which also looked very bad. Bankrupt explained that he was no scholar and meant to sign Bartley. A creditor said he thought bankrupb must have money somewhere, ana asked if his wife had not L4O in the bank somewhere. Bankrupt replied that to the best or his knowledge his wife had not 40s in the bank ; at the same time she might have LIOOO there for all he knew. Mr Sinclair said it was hard to believe anything bankrupt or his wife said. Ho understood that when the policeman went to inquire for bankrupt the latter's wife said he had gone to look for a house. The policeman said he must search the house, and, on doing so, found bankrupt under the bed in a bag. Bankrupt said if the policeman said that he told lies as it was untrue. Being questioned further as to what he had done with the L2l 9s, ■ Bankrupt said it was spent as he said. He had no money. Had he had money he would have employed a lawyer to conduct his land claim in Court the other day. The Assignee said there were several things he wished to know further about and would call another meeting later on. The meeting was then adjourned.