SALESMAN FILES.
ASSIGNEE NOT SATISFIED WITH POSITION.
Benjamin Wheeler, a salesman, of 64 Keppel street, New Brighton, met his creditors before the District Official Assignee (Mr J. H. Robertson) yesterday morning. After an examination of his position, the Assignee said that he was not altogether satisfied, and adjourned the case to permit of further investigation. In the meantime, Wheeler would not be allowed to leave New Zealand without permission.
The amount owing to unsecured creditors was £243 7s 9d, and the sole assets were furniture valued at £20, leaving a deficiency of £223 7s 9d. In his sworn statement, bankrupt said that he came to the Dominion in March, 1927, from Birmingham, and had lived in Christchurch since then. He had been employed as a salesman with two furnishing companies in Christchurch, but they had both filed in bankruptcy.
About August, 1928, he bought a stock of hosiery with which he canvassed the suburbs, and he continued with this occupation until about one month ago. After paying cash for all goods purchased for a year he started to incur monthly accounts. From August, 1928, he did not think he had averaged more than 30s a week, and he had been compelled on occasions to seek assistance from the Charitable Aid Board and the Returned Soldiers’ Association.
Bankrupt had an interest in the will of his late mother from which he was to receive £520, and from which he received £5 a month for the first two years. In September last the time for distribution arrived, and he instructed his brother to collect the balance of £400 for him, when his brother collected he claimed it on account of a debt due to him by bankrupt, so bankrupt received nothing. He was relying on this sum of £400 to pay his creditors.
Cross-examined, bankrupt stated that he had been in America, from 1916 to 1925 selling vacuum cleaners, at times making up to £12 a week. The New Zealand climate did not suit him, and he had always wanted to return to England.
In reply to a creditor, he denied that when he had renewed his credit he had represented that £400 was coming to him from England. He thought that relations would help him to return to England, but they would have nothing to do with his debts. HE had no money there that he could use when he returned.
The Official Assignee said that the creditors had better place a sum of money at his disposal, and he would instruct a firm of solicitors in England to look into the matter.
Bankrupt is a married man with three young children.
(Press, New Zealand, 19th March 1932)