THE WELLINGTON BANK-RUPT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14211, 12 May 1908, Page 6

THE WELLINGTON BANKRUPT

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HIS VOLUNTARY SUKRKXDER.

(Pr.R Usitei) Prkss Association-.) AUCKLAND, May 11. Albert. Clarence Elliott, the bankrupt land ami estate agent of Wellington, who walked into the, police station yesterday morning and i>avo himself up, was a steerage pa-<-rngcr from Sydney by the -Moatia. 'Itto press representative visiting the watchhouse was confronted' by a smart-looking individual sealed at a table with a liook within reach and a huge enamel- pannikin and a slice of bread ami butter before him. Elliott stated that he had no difficulty in getting away unobserved. "Mo.;l of my time J was in Melbourne," he said, "and from there 1 had plenty of opportunities to go anywhere I. liked to get clear away. When I got. there, however, I decided I would not go any further. The suspense was awful, for one thing, and I couldn't •stand it, so here J. am. 1 gave myself up voluntarily to the police. If I had had any money when 1 reached Auckland I would have continued my journey to Wellington and given myself up there."

POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS. (Per United Tress Association.) AUCKLAND, May 11. Elliott was charged at, the Police Court to-day with stealing £12 received from Henry Robson on account of Kenneth Douglas and failing to account for the same. The police asked for a week's remand to "Wellington. Elliott olfered no objection. The application was granted.

MEETING- OF CREDITORS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 11. The creditors of Klliolt met again today. In view of the bankrupt's surrender at Auckland, the matter of bringing Elliott back had not to be considered. The Assignee said he bed examined tho bankrupt's lady elerk and his partner (Mr DuiKa.ii). The clerk's evidence was to the effect that she started work with the bankrupt about the first week in August, 1906, at 12s 6d per week, with increases up to 25s per week. Sue kept the rough (ash Look, and also assisted to keep the retailers' ledger. She entered the accounts, and marked them off when paid. That ledger was still in the office. It belonged to the Retailers' Protection Association. She had seen no other books kept. Her salary was paid every Saturday, chiefly by checyue, hut occasionally in cash. Messrs Garham, Mount-fort, Payne, Cotton. Oswin, ami Dell were employed by Elliott casually. Mr Gotten was employed on the Retailers' Protection Association, but witness could not say for how long. Letter books were kept, but latterly duplicate- copies had been taken, which were in the office. Witness was engaged by Elliott, and had been employed on the firm's work. She banked money at the National Pank in the name of A. C. Elliott. Tho firm kept no banking account, Thomas Duncan said he bought out Mr Smith on July 29, 1906, paying. £200 in cash for one half share in the firm of Elliott and Smith. He did not enter the office until December, 1906, and drew nothing from the. firm between July and December, 1906. From December,' 1906, to the present time lie had drawn from the business £386 by way of salary. This was banked to his private account. It wus always paid to him by Elliott,' invariably by cheque, but once in cash. Ho had been under the impression that Elliottkept the firm's books, as ho had promised. Elliott had led him to believe that he was keeping books right up to the last, as he had stated he was then writing them up to date, and would hand them over to witness. Instead of doing so he had only sent his cheque butts, which were handed to witness by Mr Dunbar Sloane just about the timo that Elliott left the Dominion. He had not seen Elliott since. It was decided that tho assignee should sell tho equities of redemption in certain properties. Some discussion took place on the question of bankrupt's interest in the business of the Retailers' Protection Association. Mr Simpson said Elliott had paid £500 for the right to publish its confidential reports, and there was a sum of £200 duo in this respect on a, promissory note. The, payment foil duo on the 15th inst. Mr Luckio pointed out that the assignee could only sell Elliott's rights. It was a question whether the business was -worth paving £200 to secure. Mr'Simpson: Elliott gave £700 for it. Ma- Luoikic: that was his failing. He gave 30s in the pound. Mr Richmond: More than that in somo cases. Mr Luckie: It might bo worth while making inquiries. Mr Sinipson: I will certainly do so. In answer to a question by the Official Assignee, Mr Cotton stated that there wore probably 600 subscribers to the Retailers' Protection Association throughout tho North Island. Mr Simpson intimated that, another meeting would be held at the earliest possible date.