BANKRUPTCY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 14052, 24 July 1916, Page 8

BANKRUPTCY.

The following statement has been filed with the Official Assignee (Major A. G. Beere) by John Gleeson, of Ormond, laborer: — "1 came to New Zealand about six years ago from Southern Nigeria, West Africa, where I had been m the employ of the Nigeria Bitumen Co. for a period of sixteen months. I came here under twelve months' contract for the N.Z. Oil FieldsJ Ltd., at a salary of £35 per month. At the expiration of my contract, I was requested by the manager to remain for another period of two years, with a promise of a rise m my salary of £15 per month, which ■I agreed to do, the agreement being only verbal. I then sent for my family, who were living m Petrolia, Ontario, Canada, which cost me £160, tho company giving me £80, m addition to my year's salary, as a bonus. About three months after the arrival of my family, the manager was recalled Home, and a new manager sent out, who introduced a new system of boring, with which I was not quite familiar; therefore, I could not claim the £15 rise, so worked on. with the new manager for some months at my old wage. Tlie new rrianager was then satisfied to give mo the £50 per month on arrival of some special pipes that were on order at that time, the works being closed down to wait for same. Up to that time we had been boarding, which I found very expensive, so decided to start housekeeping, which was the cause of my first: going into debt, which I did firmly believing I would have no trouble m paying. But, unfortunately, shortly after the company went into liquidation, which left m.9 practically stranded. At that particular time I could get very little of any kind of work, and for several months my earnings did not average £1 per week. There was still hope of the com- , pany reconstructing and doing business again, and I was promised my old posiJ tion back, but the war breaking out piit an ond to my hopes m that quarter. I have Wen crowded pretty tight for the last two years by some of my creditors. Orders were put on me by tli« Coirtit. which I was unable to pay ; lhereiove # I was forced to file, for i which 1 am sorry, as some of my creditors, on being made acquainted with my, position, would have never crowded nv\ Since the time of the New Zealand Oil Fields Company suspending work my 1 1 earnings have averaged less than £2 10s ; per week. As ther© are six mmy i family, it is impossible for me to make any offer."