Registrar-Generals-Department-Annual-report-1967-1968 — Page 42

Pre-war Bankruptcy Cases

114. There were eight pre-war cases on hand, in seven of which a final dividend had already been paid and only formal closure proceed- ings were required.

Dividends paid

115. Payments to preferential creditors and dividends to unsecured creditors were paid in eight bankruptcies and six windings-up.

Public Examinations and Court Work

116. Eight Public Examinations and six Private Examinations were held. Altogether, Legal Officers of the Department appeared in Court and in Chambers on 180 occasions in connection with bankruptcies and liquidations. This is the highest total of such appearances in any postwar year exceeding by eleven the previous record of 169 in 1966-67.

Prosecutions

117. There were three prosecutions for bankruptcy offences arising out of three cases. Details were as follows:

(1) The sole proprietor of the Ming Tak Bank was charged with four offences, namely, failure to explain the loss of a substantial part of his estate, failure to keep proper books of account, making a material omission in his statement of affairs, and failure to make full discovery of all his property to the Trustee. He was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 12 months, 9 months, 3 months and 3 months respectively, the last two terms to run concurrently.

(2) Two partners of a woollen piece goods firm were charged jointly for failure to keep proper books of account. One partner pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 3 months imprison- ment. The other partner pleaded not guilty, and further investigation was undertaken, as a result of which no evidence was offered against him and he was released.

(3) The sole proprietress of a rice wholesalers firm was charged with failing to keep proper books of account. She was found guilty and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.

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