THE HARDING CASE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 89, 15 December 1913, Page 4

THE HARDING CASE.

SETTLING PROPERTY. [Pes Press Association.] Wellington, December ,13. " The case was.contimuHl hefoie Jus' Honor the Chief Justice in the Wellington Siiprenio'Cohrt which the Official Assignee applied for an order to set aside a settlenu-uo made by a bankrupt, James White Harding, farmer, formerly of HaHaweVa, on his -wife. The defendant was questioned by Sir John Findlay. ■ The defendant stated that if he had been allowed <o go qn, he could.have.-niade-a substantial profit out of his Australian business.* On l 3 pects of his business both in Australia and New Zealand were such as to justify him in stating that he Was sol-; t vent. In answer to Mr Skerrett,the defen- i ant stated that in giving evidence j previously he had forgotten that his wife had written a number of business letters in Brisbane on his behalf. William Alfred Hewitt, agent for the Xew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company's branch at Stratford, was called by Mr Skerrett. This witness stated that on May 14, 1912, and prior to that date, Harding was a customer of his. On that date Harding gave

witness a statement, which witness wrote down, as to his position. Harding included the Otakeho and Norfolk road farms among his properties. Francis William Carey, manager of the Hawera branch of the same company, stated that he received from the defendant a statement as to his position on September 5. 1912. Defendant said the Norfolk road property was in the name of himself and his two children, and the Otakeho farm was in his own name. He did not mention that he intended to settle these properties on his wife.

Further evidence was given by Harold Thomson, manager of the Bank ot New Zealand at Inglewood; C. W. Surrey (recalled); E. J. Arlow, of Turnbull and Co., representing Weddell and Co's. interests in New Zealand; Bryan Bassett, formerly accountant for the defendant. Further hearing of the case was adjourned till 9.30 this morn-