Kinematograph year book (1944)

In the Courts. 153 DISCHARGES FROM BANKRUPTCY. Sound Engineer.— Edward Solomon Fox, 7, Park Lane, W.i, and described in the Receiving Order as film sound engineer, applied for his discharge at the London Bankruptcy court on July r. Debtor failed in June, 1938, with liabilities of £845, and the assets had realised £64. When in America debtor became experienced in " dubbing " films, and came to this country to take employment with a film company at a salary of £1,000 a year. Owing to the financial position of the company, his engagement lasted only eight months. In December, 1937, moneylenders instituted bankruptcy proceedings. Mr. Registrar Kean granted the discharge subject to a suspension of six months. Kinema Director.— At the London Bankruptcy Court on October 5, Stanley Leyton, formerly of 214, Westminster Bridge Road, who failed in December, 1942, with liabilities of £"1,880, wras granted his discharge subject to a suspension of one month. The Official Receiver reported that no assets had been recovered for distribution. In 1927 debtor purchased for £8,000 a twothirds interest in the Coronation, Surbiton, and later formed a company to take over the interest of himself and others. He acted as a director of the company until March, 1928. One reason of his insolvency was attributed to his liabilities under guarantees on behalf of his kinema companies. Colour Inventor.— At the public examination of Reginald Killick, Chertsey, Surrey, engineer, in November at Kingston-on-Thames, it was reported that the bankruptcy petition had been filed by a creditor who had obtained judgment for £85 and £"12 3s. costs, but debtor disputed that claim. The statement of affairs showed gross habilities.£i 25 12s. id., of wmich £28 9s. id. was expected to rank for dividend. The only assets returned were stated to be patents " of uncertain value." Debtor said that since the bankruptcy, his wife had voluntarily discharged the ranking liabilities. Debtor was an inventor and some of his devices dealt with colour photography for kinemas, and others related to engineering. Some of his patents had been sold. Debtor, however, had not always benefited from those sales, and other parties, who had advanced him money for experiments, were interested. The examination was adjourned for closing. Kinema Organist. — At his public examination at Manchester on July 23, Eugene Stuart Barrie (44), kinema organist, stated that after returning from America he was engaged as organist at various kinemas, and his salary was about £"15 per week. When the war broke out his earnings suffered, but his standard of living was not reduced, and he became involved in debt. He borrowed money. At present he was receiving £12 a week as kinema organist, plus occasional broadcasting fees. He intended to repay his debts as soon as possible. Examination closed. Manager and Receiver. Formerly manager and receiver of the Naborhood Cinema, Sydenham, S.E.26, the public examination in bankruptcy of Alfred John Haggar was informally closed at Croydon Bankruptcy Court on July 6. Liabilities to unsecured creditors were £"638, and assets 2S., plus a book debt of £55 Debtor attributed his failure entirely to liability for debts contracted as manager of the kinema and receiver for the debenture holder. Debtor w as so appointed in November, 1940, at a salary of £4 a week, subsequently increased to £6, remaining until it closed down in June, 1942. He had no knowledge of accountancy. When he took over he did not know the company's financial position. Afterwards he found that it was insolvent, with liabilities, he understood, of over £3,000. His liabilities included £263 film hire, £198 bank overdraft, £45 goods supplied, and telephone and electricity charges for the kinema. It was finding money for the film hire that killed him. He had contracted these debts on the instructions of the debenture holder. General Council Recommends "The Ideal Kinema9* __ ^HE following recommendation from its Technical Committee was accepted by the General Council of theC.E.A.atits meeting in London on Wednesday, July 14:— "Your Committee would also draw attention to the excellent technical reports which appear in the Technical Supplement of the KiNEMATOGRAPH Weekly ("The Ideal Kinema"), and the view was expressed that very often these excellent articles seldom got beyond the manager's desk. "Your Committee would direct the attention of members who subscribe to the Kinematograph Weekly, the desirability of passing on the Technical Supplement to their projection-room staff."