MANY SCHEDULES FILED THIS YEAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18043, 31 December 1926, Page 2

MANY SCHEDULES FILED THIS YEAR.

ASSIGNEE’S LIST IS THE HEAVIEST. STEADY INCREASE SINCE BOOM YEAR. As far as the number of bankruptcies is concerned, the present year, according to the records in the Christchurch office of the Official Assignee, has been a heavy one. There were more of them than in any previous year. As a matter of fact, there has been a steady increase in the numbers during the past few years. This, doubtless, is accounted for partly by the increased population. In any case, the figures do not give a complete indication .of the measure of prosperity in a community-. As private assignments of bankrupt estates need not be registered, there is no record of them, and other factors enter into consideration. The increase has been a steady and a marked one since 1919. which was a notable “boom” year. There were only nine bankruptcies in that year. In 1920 the number jumped to 22. This year it is 60, four more than last year, which had the largest number up to that time. Following are the totals for different years during the past decade;— 1917 33 1918 ... 10 1919 9 1920 ....., c 22 1921 25 1922 41 1923 4« 1924 49 1925 61 1926 65

Following are the .vocations of persons who filed schedules in bankruptcy this year:— Aerated water manufacturer, baker, canvasser, contractor, factory manager, orchardist. fruiterer, grain merchant, grocer, hotelkeeper, land agent, manufacturers’ agent. Mechanic, motor mechanic, motor agent, painter, stationmaster (retired), salesman, stationer, stock agent, stock dealer, storeman, tailor, taxi proprietor, and theatr# proprietor. One in each vocation. Accountant, agent, dairyman, fisherman. and salesman —two in each. Carrier, carpenter, and companythree in each. Builders —four. Labourers—six. Farmers —eleven Twenty-six of the persons concerned were wage-earners, 24 were employers, and 15 were in business on their own account.