DEBTOR ARRESTED.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2018, 3 August 1920, Page 5

DEBTOR ARRESTED.

BUT DISCHARGED FROM CUSTODY Press Association. AUCKLAND, August 3. In the Supreme Court, to-day, before his Honour Sir John Sahnond, application was made by Thomas Irwin, calling upon the Farmers' Co-operative Organisation Society of Hawera to show cause why he should not be discharged from custody. Irwin had been in gaol since last Friday, when he was arrested on warrant, telegraphed from Hawera, alleging that he was an absconding debtor, and that he intended to leave New Zealand. His counsel said that Irwin had no intention of leaving the Dominion, and had not even applied for a permit to leave. Mr A. 11. Johnstone said that the debtor owed the society £9lO. He owned a farm near Patea. He had received £2OO, and had then disappeared. There was an impression, based on. something that his wife .said, that he and his wife were going to America. Debtor had left certain slock on the farm. This was sold, but there was still £342 owing to the society. Irwin gave evidence that, last November, he purchased a farm of 220 acres for £5)900, paying no cash. He sold it in Julv, at a profit of £llOO. After paying ail debts, he had £IOO. In the meantime, he had bought cattle for £990. He did not pay for them before leaving Hawera. He gave instructions to an auctioneer of the Farmers' Co-Operative Society to sell them. As the market dropped, the cattle realised £342 less than the purchase price. His Honour Sir John Salmond made an order for discharge from custody, on condition that the debtor reports daily to the police. He thought that the creditor was quite .justified in having the warrant issued, as the man went away without leaving ah address.