"NEAR THE BAR."

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 834, 6 July 1871, Page 2

"NEAR THE BAR."

Amonp the bankrupts examined in the District Court, G-reymouth, on L4rth ult., was James Jones, of the Dunedin Hotel. The trustee's report .vas very unfavourable. The bankrupt, in his own examination, said ho commenced business about September last as a hotel-keeper. He bad no capital whatever, but he started ind furnished the place on credit. He had some of the money from Mr Strike, lie did not carry on the business, although he lived" on the premises. His wife did all the business, and obtained the goods. She might have obtained quantities of goods within a few days of filing his declaration from Mr Coates, but he knew nothing about it. The Judge: What on earth did you do with yourself; did you do any work at all ? The Bankrupt: X used to be near the bar sometimes. The remainder of this witness's evidence showed that he knew nothing whatever about the business, and simply loafed about the premises, while his .wife did the work. Mrs Jones was examined at length as to the business transactions, which partly substantiated the trustee's report iu every particular. Mr Coates's storeman gave evidence as to the contraction of the debt. The Judge said that from the' trustee's report it appeared that the bankrupt commenced business £293 in debt, and £2O of assets, carried on business for six months, and at the end of that period was £65 more in debt than when he commenced business, and that he obtained a large quantity of goods from various merchants in town within a few days of filing his declaration of insolvency. The report said that the insolvent was both ignorant and stupid, but that was no excuse for dishonesty. The insolvent's certificate would be suspended for twelve months, but protection would be continued, subject to alteration on application to the Court at any time during that period.