BANKRUPT LAND AGENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19531, 14 July 1925, Page 11

BANKRUPT LAND AGENT.

SERIES OP MISFORTUNES. CREDITORS’ LENIENT VIEW A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of Albert Robert Sellars, land salesman, of Fairfield,*was held yesterday afternoon in the office of the official assignee (Mr C. W. Cave), who presided. The bankrupt was represented by Mr R. S. M. Sinclair, while Mr C. J. L. White attended on behalf of Mr F B. Francis. The bankrupt, in tho course of his sworn statement, said that up to the beginning of 1922 ho had managed to pay his way quite successfully. Ho was working as a salesman for Mr F. B. Francis although the latter traded under the name of Francis, Sellars, and Co. Bankrupt had been unable to find tho finance to complete his partnership agreement, and so ho worked as Mr Francis’s employee. Ho was living in a property rented at £1 at week. At the beginning of 1822 bankrupt’s wife took ill, and for four months ho paid £1 each a week for two children, 20s a week for himslf, in addition to paying 15s a week for his wife's maintenance in hospital, a total of £4 5s a week for board, etc. On his wife’s return ho had been compelled to take a house at St. Clair. About eight months later his wife again broke down and remained in hospital for five months, necessitating bankrupt again paying board and lodgings for himself and his children anil maintenance for his wife. When she was again restored to health bankrupt was unable to get a house, and ho had to board at an hotel for about nine or ton months at £4 10s a week. Ho had paid in all about £l2O. About September, 1924, owing to disputes wilh Mr Francis, bankrupt had left his employ, and remained for about five weeks without being able to find work. Ho joined Calder’s Land Agency, but left to work for Battersby and Co. about the beginning of March. During four months there bankrupt had earned about £35. He had been discharged on account of lack of work on Juno 10, and since then had been uarble to secure work of any kind- Bankrupt attributed his position to his domestic troubles combined wilh business misfortunes, as one or two sales under which commissions wore duo to him had been held up. . Bankrupt assessed his total indebtedness at £ll7 7s 6d. Tho statement showed tho following unsecured creditors: —Todd Bros., stock agents, etc., £25; Ford Motors (Ltd.), Dunedin, £l2; New Zealand Wool and Skin Company, £l7; M. Richards, proprietor of the Farmers’ Arms Hotel, £11; Alfred Brown, proprietor of the Gridiron Hotel £3 2s fid; Adam Smith, tailor, Dunedin, £lO 10s; AV. Corbett, taxi proprietor, Balclutba, £10: Charles Sampson, butcher, Kensington, £0 15s; and F. B. Francis, land agent, Dunedin, £l4 Is for rent. . To the Assignee: Bankrupt claimed a commission owing to him in connection with two land deals. Ho was not employed at present, but was endeavouring to work on his own account. , . . The Assignee said that he would look into tho matter of the commission. Mr A. E. Wright, who represented Mr Adam Smith, said that there was no doubt that bankrupt had been unfortunate, and if his wife had not become ill his position would not have been as it, was to-day. Ho v, T as finite sure that in tirno no ■would no able lo r>av bis creditors in full, Jf bis position improved it would be comparatively easy for him to pay off his debts. To the Assignee: Bankrupt was quite willing to pay his creditors in full provided bo was given time lo do so. Mr Sinclair explained that it was onlv because bankrupt had nothing that he had filed a petition. It was. after all, not a very large amount, and if given a chance he would make good. Mr R. E. Hyde (Messrs Todd Bros.) also agreed that bankrupt bad been most unfortunate. lie felt sure that bo would find bis feet, again. Mr A- E Wright, moved, and Mr R, K Hyde seconded— “ That the matter be left in'tho hands of the assignee.”—Tho motion was carried unanimously.