TARANAKI FARMER FAILS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 99, 18 July 1927, Page 12

TARANAKI FARMER FAILS

RUN OF BAD LUCK VALUABLE HERD LOST C Special to THE SUN.) HAWERA, Saturday. Farmers are feeling the pinch severely, and it is going to be a case of the survival of the fittest. Quite a number have already “thrown up the sponge,” being unable to keep the flag flying over their broad acres. The latest to succumb to adverse conditions is Mr. James John Walker, of Ohangai, whose financial statement revealed unsecured debts amounting to £3,330. Bankrupt had been farming in Taranaki over 20 years, from 1915 to 1922, and had a leasehold farm at Ohangai, where he built up a Holstein herd. During this period he did well. Owing to his wife’s ill-health he sold out and went to Australia. Pie had guaranteed the new purchaser the herd, but the latter was unsuccessful. On his return he took over the herd again and bought a farm at Ohangai at a high figure. In spite of hard work he failed to make headway. He owed the Farmers’ Co-op. Company £2,750. Bankrupt expressed regret at the position. He did his best with the stock, but the sale was a very poor one. For one pedigree cow he was offered £3OO some time ago, and at the sale it realised only £3O. He had also lost animals which he was taking to the Auckland Show. He had lost £2,000 himself, and a good deal in connection with his backing of Henderson, who had purchased the farm.

All creditors expressed sympathy with the bankrupt, who had been true, yet had lost everything. It was decided to facilitate his discharge.