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Tuapeka Times, Volume XI, Issue 779, 5 June 1878, Page 2

IN BANKRUPTCY.

In the District Court of Otago Goldfields Holden at Lawrence. In the matter of " The , Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876," and of the Bankruptcy of James Gawn, of Beaumont, Waggoner.

THIS IS TO NOTIFY that James Gawn, of Beaumont, Waggoner, has THIS DAY Filed a Statement, that he is unable to meet his engagements with his Creditors. The First Meeting of Creditors to be held at the Courthouse, Lawrence, on THURSDAY, the 13th day of JUNE, 1878, at 12 o'clock, noon.

Dated this 3rd day of June, 1878. HENRY J. ABEL, Clerk to the District Court.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XI, Issue 784, 22 June 1878, Page 2

IN BANKRUPTCY.

In the District Court of Otago Goldfields Holden at Lawrence. In the matter of "The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876," and of the Bankruptcy of James Gawn, of Beaumont, Waggoner. IT IS HEREBY NOTIFIED that at an adjourned meeting of the Creditors of the said -James Gawn, held on the 14th day of June instant, at the Courthouse, Lawrence, Horace Lyne Squires, of Lawrence, Certified Accountant in Bankruptcy, was appointed Trustee by the Clerk of the said Court, and has signified in writing to the said Clerk his acceptance of the said office. Dated this 14th day of June, 1878. JOHN COPLAND, Solicitor for the said James Gawn.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XI, Issue 792, 20 July 1878, Page 3

IN BANKRUPTCY.

In the District Court of Otago Goldfields Holden at Lawrence. In the matter of "The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876," and of the Bankruptcy of James Gawn, of Beaumont, Waggoner.

TAKE NOTICE. — In pursuance of the said Act, a meeting of Creditors of the above-named James Gawn will be held at the Courthouse, Lawrence, for the purpose of considering his Order of Discharge; the said meeting to be held on Tuesday, the 24th day of July, 1878, at twelve o'clock noon; And that an Application will be made by the said James Gawn to the District Court of the Otago Goldfields, to be holden on the 23rd day of August, 1878, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard for an Order of Discharge in accordance with the said Act.

Dated this 19th day of July, 1878. JOHN COPLAND, Solicitor for the Debtor.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XI, Issue 802, 24 August 1878, Page 3

Re James Gawn. — Mr Copland applied for an order of discharge of bankrupt. — Granted.

Otago Witness , Issue 1767, 3 October 1885, Page 9

The following declarations of insolvency have been filed during the past week :— James Gawn, of Deep Stream, storekeeper.

Otago Witness , Issue 1767, 3 October 1885, Page 12

Re James Gawn.

A first meeting of creditors in the estate of James Gawn, storekeeper, Hindon, was held on Tuesday forenoon at the Official Assignee's office. Mr D. D. Macdonald was present on behalf of the bankrupt ; Mr J. F. M. Fraser for several creditors. List of unsecured creditors : — Neill Bros., £65 8s 2d ; Sargood, Son, and Ewen, £19 14s ; J. Farra, £2 8s lid ; Mercer Bros., £8 ; J. R. Briggs, £17 ; G. Hicks, £35 ; Goodwin and Andrews, £30 ; J. Little, £45 7s lid ; W. Snow, £18 ; W. Paul, £6 15s ; Burton, £3 ; D. Callandar, £8 ; W. Little, £3 :— total, £265 4s.

Assets : Stock-in-trade at Deep Stream, near Hindon, estimated at £25 9s ; book debts estimated to produce £150 ; furniture, £15 ; other property, £54 5s. Total assets, £224 14s. Mr Macdonald mentioned that an error occurred in the statement — the total sum of the book debts was £150, and that the bankrupt estimated that they would bring £50.

The bankrupt said that he went into the business in February. He had no money, but worked on credit. He owed £50, and against this had three horses worth about £23. He bought another horse soon after going into the store. He found that the profits did not pay expenses and bad debts, and consequently he had to enter the Bankruptcy Court. His books had been kept by two men named Hayes and Beattie. The latter had been a partner up to May, and Hayes had to get £1 10s a week, Last month he paid various creditors £70. He had another £10 which he paid in wages and personal expenses. He had no money now. He did not think his book-debts would realise £10.

To Mr Fraser : I owed £50 when I started, and things have been going to the bad ever since. I never told my creditors to the contrary.

Mr Fraser read a letter from bankrupt to Messrs Sargood and Co., written in June. This stated that he had started with £85 cash, and had considerable assets.

The bankrupt stated that he had looked over the letter which had been written by Hayes, and believed it to be correct. He knew now that it was not so. He got over £100 on August payday, and £14 in September. He did not know whether his wife had any money or not. He did not think so. He never gave her any money, and he had none " planted " himself. His wife had some cows at Mount Allen, and he sold these for £11 10s about the beginning of August. He could not deny that he occasionally got drunk when in town.

The Assignee said he did not think they could do any more in the meantime. As to the question of general fraud, there was not sufficient evidence to show any. As far as Sargood and Co. were concerned it might be different. They had individual rights, but he did not think he would be justified in spending the few pounds he might get out of the estate in proceedings.

Mr Dick said there was sufficient before the creditors to show that the bankrupt had obtained property by false representation.

Mr Fraser stated that the feeling of four or five Outram creditors was that the bankrupt should be punished. On the face of it they had the admission from the bankrupt that he had been guilty of making false representations as far as Sargood, Son, and Ewen, were concerned ; and, at any rate, it might be a matter for further investigation. If, after further investigation, there was sufficient evidence to support a charge, the Assignee might be instructed to lay an information against him.

During his examination bankrupt produced several small pass-books and documents, which the Assignee took possession of. The Assignee, referring to an account from Hayes to the debtor for wages at the rate of £3 per week, asked the bankrupt how that coincided with the statement that Hayes had only to get £1 10s per week ? The bankrupt said that the latter sum was what he agreed to pay Hayes. The Assignee remarked that bankrupt was credited in the account with payment of several amounts, and if Hayes' wages were only 30s per week, he (Hayes) was in debt to the estate.

It was agreed that Mr Snow be authorised to have the horses, stock, &c, brought down to Outram, and sold.

The meeting was adjourned until Wednesday, 7th inst.