|
Correspondence from Charles Harper [Waterhouse & Co., Solicitors for Constable & Co.] to Otto Kyllmann [Constable & Co., Publishers of Laughing Torso]
[Correspondence following Constable & Co.'s defence against the libel suit and appeal brought by Aleister Crowley against Nina Hamnett and the publication of her book Laughing Torso.]
Waterhouse & Co. Solicitors 10 & 12 Bishopsgate, London, E.C.2.
1st May 1935
CROWLEY
My dear Kyllmann,
This debtor [Aleister Crowley] came before the court today for his Public Examination, and, as Pullen informed you through the telephone, the Official Receiver made a very strenuous and exhaustive cross-examination of the Debtor as to the circumstances which led to the bankruptcy.
I enclose a print of the Summary of the Bankrupt's Statement of Affairs in which you will see the main points dealt with by the Official Receiver. A print of this document should have been sent to you direct from the Official Receiver and if you find that one had already been sent to your Company, I would like you to return the enclosed to me as it may become useful in the event of any further information being obtained.
I also enclose a copy of the notes made at the examination but which I am afraid do not appear to be very hopeful of obtaining any dividend.
Yours sincerely,
Charles S. J. Harper
Otto Kyllmann, Esq., 10 & 12, Orange Street, Leicester Square, W.C.2.
(In Bankruptcy). EDWARD ALEXANDER CROWLEY.
Notes made at Public Examination of the Debtor.
The above named debtor appeared in court today for his public examination which was undertaken by the Senior Official Receiver and concluded.
After many preliminary questions the Official Receiver asked several further questions with regard to Crowley's books and eventually insisted on the debtor undertaking to supply a detailed list of all his books as it appeared from his Answers that there may possibly be some value if they could be located.
Crowley referred particularly to his life work and after some pressure he informed the Official Receiver that his manuscript of his life work is at present with Madame Martha Kuenkuel [sic] [Martha Küntzel] of 4 Tiefe Strasse Leipzig. 0.4. The Official Receiver informed the court that he would try to obtain this.
The debtor was then pressed with regard to the many years when he was in affluent circumstances as to why he had never paid income tax, to which he replied that he had never received any forms nor been asked to make a return. With regard to his present mode of living, he explained that the Trust Estate from which he originally obtained £5. per week has now been reduced to approximately £3. per week, owing to the conversion of War Loan etc. The Official Receiver explained that as this is a discretionary trust it obviously forms no part of the estate in bankrupt.
Crowley was then questioned as to any possible existing contracts and although he stated he was bringing an action in respect of one of the Sunday Newspapers for breaking a contract with him to insert various articles, the court seemed to be satisfied that there was nothing in this.
As evidence of Crowley's extravagant living he admitted in answer to further questions that he ordered the most expensive clothing etc., and always paid 25/- per pound for tobacco.
The above are the main points dealing with the questions put by the Official Receiver, although many matters of minor detail were gone into at length.
|