IN BANKRUPTCY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11371, 2 September 1908, Page 6

IN BANKRUPTCY.

The first meeting of creditors m the estate of Samuel Burton, veterinary surgeon, bankrupt, was held m the office of the Official Assignee (Mr J. Coleman) this afternoon. Bankrupt Avas represented by M r T- Alston Coleman. The Assignee said he did not think they would get a quorum, as there were only a few Gisborne creditors. Besides those already published, a claim from Mr Scott, chemist, for £22 17s Id was put m. Other claims were put m, but bankrupt said, he did not know anything about them. In his evidence, bankrupt said he went to Palmerston North m 1904, being engaged by the Government at a salary of £250 a year. He had no property when he went there. La 1905 the Farmers' Association m Palmerston North asked him to practise for them, guaranteeing him £200 a year cash for three years. He Avas to practise his profession m the district, and he estimated his takings would 1 amount to about £800 a year. Mr Gilruth thought the position would be a good thing. On the strength of the offer he resigned from the Government's employ. A Farmers' Union Veterinary Association Avas formed at Feilding, Avith Mr Mourade as presi- j dent. -Subsequently Feilding withdrew from the original arrangement, and a modified arrangement was made that bankrupt should* charge 5s a'Visit for a radius of six miles. The Feilding and Palmerston North committees then amalgamated on the same terms. This Avent on for 12 months, at the end of which he had made about £340. Hisinitial expenses were -very heavy, and I at the end of the year there was £60 deficient. The committee of the Farmers' Union failed to give him the £200 cash as guaranteed, so levied on members £1 a head, and at the end of four months from the time of starting they oAved him £60. The farmers complained of his not getting oA-er the ground quick enough, although he knocked out a couple of horses, so he bought a motor bicycle for £63 to get round quicker.. It Avas f rranged that the Farmers' Union Arere to pay for the machine. 3in three montlis' time Clarkson, the cycle-maker, sent m a bill for £45, and 'he said the Union Tiad not paid anything. Bankrupt subsequently had to pay for the machine. At %he end of twelve months- bankrupt met the Veterinary Association, and asked! them toilet him off, as' the business Aras not paying. The motor cycle waa sold for £10, and his trap, which cost £42. was sold for £20. Tlie Association refused to let liim off, but arranged Avith a. bank to pay him £200 cash, as arranged for the second year, and also settled, with Clarkson for the motor bicycle. Tlie Veterinary Association, Avhich Avas not] registered, failed to carry out tlie arrangement with the bank. He assigned his book debts to the committee of the Association as a guarantee of good faiith to carry out his work for tAVelve months. Bankrupt- siiened a second agreement, and learned afterwards that by so doing he gav c his book debts over to the committer. He AA-as rigidly held to this agreement, Avliich practicaly amounted to their only guaranteeing him £200 a year. He was under two agreemenst to different and that Avas where the trouble bejjan. .A{. the end of tlta second year he lost his books. Avhich he estimated Avould produce about £500. He also lost a number of instruments. The "committee again refused to let him off. Subsequently Mr Gilruth gaA-e him a position as inspector of the Longburn Avorks. Avhich involved about three hours a day. When his three years Avith the Association avos up the GoA-ernment gave him employment again. During the time his house Avas shut up his books were lost. The association took an action against him to recover the books, but Avhen he told them they were missing, he had to make up a statement from memory. When he Avent to Woodville liis creditors pressed him, and continued to do jo Avhen. he came to Gisborne m Aucust. 1907. and this caused him to file. In March. 1907, bankrupt fractured his hip, aud he Avas now unable to ride. His offer to pay £5 a month hinged on the vieAV the Minister took of the position. Avhich Avas to bo explained by Mr Gilruth. It Avas finally arranged that the bankrupt should pay £7 a month until 10s m the £ was paid to creditors.