RECKLESS SPENDTHRIFTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3617, 10 July 1923, Page 24

RECKLESS SPENDTHRIFTS.

LONDON, July 2. The Duke of Leinster was acquitted of the conspiracy charge. In giving evidence upon the second charge of obtaining credit without disclosing the fact that he was an undischarged bankrupt, the Duke stated that he became bankrupt in 1914. At that time there were two lives between himself and the title, with no natural prospect of his succession. In June, 1918, he sold his reversionary interest in the estate for £70,000, all of which went to his creditors. There was a clause in the title deed under which he was allowed to re-purchase it for £400,000. Ilis bankruptcy was well advertised in the papers and he thought everybody was aware of it. July 3. The Duke of Leinster was found by a special verdict of the jury guilty of obtaining credit without disclosing that he was an undischarged bankrupt. The Recorder, in postponing sentence, said he did not take tlie view that it was a technical offence. An undischarged bankrupt should know his obligations. The defendant would be kept in custody until the next session and then (released, but he would not suffer any indignity. July 7. The bankruptcy examination of Wooif Solomon Joel, son of Mr Solly Joel, millionaire, has concluded. The liabilities shown amount to £42,345 and the assets £235. The debtor said he bad been living on a voluntary allowance of £2400 per annum from his father. His insolvency was due to extravagance and losses through betting on horses and at cards. The father had previously paid £II,OOO for his son’s debts. Debtor said he had no one but himself to keep.