At the Northampton Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday, Edward Scroxton and Arthur Herbert Scroxton, both of Portland-road, Rushden, carrying on business in partnership under the style of E. Scroxton and Sons, removal contractors and jobmasters, came up for their public examination. The gross liabilities were shown as £187 10s 2d., with £184 15s 11d. to rank for dividend. The assets were estimated to produce £70 13s 9d., deficiency £114 2s 2d.

Mr. J.C. Parker, Wellingborough, appeared for the debtors.

In answer to the Official Receiver Edward Scroxton said he began business 25 years ago without capital. Later his son joined him, but there were no deed of partnership. They did fairly well up to Christmas, 1905, when he entered into a land speculation and took

which had in a measure contributed to his insolvency. He had no money beyond that he was earning at the time, but he took to land and stabling, and entered into an arrangement for building three cottages. That involved him in a liability of £1,242 10s., which he thought he would be able to pay. He was to pay £170 down, but he had not completed the agreement and the property had not been conveyed to him, so that the vendor could take possession at any time and the 3170 had gone. His son took over the business and made an effort to pull it out of the fire, but he had not succeeded.

Arthur Herbert Scroxton stated he thought that in June, 1908, they could not pay 20s. in the £; in June 1909. he was certain about it. Four years ago horses began to die from eczema, and in all they had lost ten. In that way they lost at least £50.

The examination was closed, subject to the usual formalities.