George Herbert Smith

RUSHDEN BANKRUPT’S TROUBLES.

WIFE BORROWS FROM MONEY LENDERS WITHOUT HUSBAND’S KNOWLEDGE.

A Rushden bankrupt, George Herbert Smith, bricklayer, of 56 Harborough-park, Rushden, who on Tuesday appeared in the Northampton Bankruptcy Court for his public examination alleged that his wife had resorted to moneylenders without his knowledge and that this was the reason for his failure. His statement of affairs showed gross liabilities of £60 9s. 9d., all of which is expected to rank. There are no assets.

Replying to the Official Receiver, debtor said he had never been in business on his own account, and the reason he was insolvent was that his wife got into moneylenders’ hands without his knowledge. He knew nothing about the transactions until a year after they took place and he was asked to make himself jointly liable for one loan. He never really knew what his wife did borrow and had made no repayment on the loan for which he made himself liable. The sum of £56 10s. 11d. was due to moneylenders for two loans, and £3 18s. 10d was owing for clothes ordered without his knowledge. He had no furniture, as his goods were sold under a distress warrant 18 years ago, and since then he had lived with his parents.

Debtor said that when the moneylender pressed him to become liable for the loan the man threatened to put his wife into prison for forgery.

The Official Receiver : Did she sign your name? - Debtor : Yes, sir.

Without your consent? - Yes, sir.

Did your son sign it? - The moneylender told me my son signed it.

But he was only 17 years of age? - Yes, sir.

Debtor said that on an average he earned £2 a week. When the money was borrowed he had three children over 14 and nine children under 14, and he understood his wife borrowed the money for household purposes.

The Official Receiver adjourned the examination until March 3rd.

Transcribed by Gill Hollis