CREDITORS OF J. B. BATCHELOR MEET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18548, 23 August 1928, Page 6

CREDITORS OF J. B. BATCHELOR MEET.

DECIDE TO LODGE BANKRUPTCY PETITION

With the object of having a thorough investigation made into the af fairs of J. B. Batchelor, the young Christchurch solicitor who disappeared recently and for whose arrest a warrant was issued, charging him with failing to account for trust moneys, a meeting of Batchelor’s creditors was held yesterday afternoon in the Builders’ Association’s rooms.

Since the warrant was issued Batchelor has not been found by the police, but it is believed that he is in the North Island. There was an attendance of about fifty creditors. Mr Angus Donaldson was voted to the chair.

At the conclusion of the meeting Mr Donaldson informed a reporter that it had been decided on the motion of Mr H. H. Hanna to take steps to have Batchelor declared a bankrupt on a creditor’s petition, on the ground that he has committed a breach of the Bankruptcy Act by leaving his home for the purpose of evading his creditors. Mr C. S. Thomas was authorised by the meeting to file the petition asking for the adjudication. On behalf of the creditor for whom he was acting Mr Thomas offered to bear the costs of the petition.

It was stated at the meeting that Bachelor’s book debts were estimated at £3OOO, but his total liabilities were not yet ascertainable. It is believed that the deficiency will amount to about £IO,OOO.