DAMAGES FOR ACCIDENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13103, 17 June 1913, Page 7

DAMAGES FOR ACCIDENT.

MAN FILES SCHEDULE TO GET

RID OF DEBT

(Per Press Association.)

, AUCKLAND, last ni^ht. Damages aaid costs totalling Jb-,00 6s were awarded by a Supreme Court jury m February last to H. L. Hartnow, as guardian of his five-year-old son, Philip .Roland . Hartnow, against Oswald James .Melvern, m respect to; injuries sustained by the boy m v, motor -car accident. The sequel was the recent filing of a petition m. baniiniiptuy by Melvern, whose creditors were called together today. Mr Hartnow was represented by Mr R. P. Towle, and the other creditor was not present.

Mr A. E. Devore appeared for bankrupt, whose statement showed his total liabilities to be £403 6s, including tne amount of the Supreme Court judgment. The assets were declared to be nil.

Tn the course of examination by the Official Assignee, bankrupt stated that ho was a fancy goods salesman, and lived with his father at Epsom. He had done no work since February last. He had applied for work m. New Plymouth, and had answered -advertisements m Auckland, bu± had not obtained employ, ment. He was only prepared to work if he obtained employment m &> fancy goods shop. He knew tiiat /paYtly through his fault the boy Phillip Roland Hartnow was maimed for life, his left arm being paralysed. Bankrupt's father gave him money for necessaries. . Bankrupt stated m. reply to Mr Towle that his object m filing was to rid himself of the debt incurred under the judgment. It 'would bo a drawback to him for life. .

Mr Towle applied for permission to examine- bankrupt's father, and' contended that since his father was bankrupt's present -souice of income, and as ho might have prospects from his father evidence of the latter's position would be relevant. ,

Mr. Devore objected, and the Official Assignee stated that m face of the ob jection he could not grant the application.

Mr Towle remarked that since he could not obtain the attendance of the other creditor m order to form a quorum the proper place to ventilate the matter would be m court when bankrupt applied for his discharge. The Official Assignee intimated that it was his intention to oppose an application for discharge m this estate if nothing further was done by bankrupt m the way of discharging his liabilities before his yapplication. *