GOSSIPPY NOTES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 123, 21 September 1877, Page 2

GOSSIPPY NOTES.

(FROM OUR TIMARU GOSSIP.)

I see that yourtowns'-people are having a quiet growl about the " Bankruptcy Act," and its working ; and well they may, for of all the abortive attempts made by amateur legislators, this Act is the most shocking specimen. Why cannot meetings of creditors he held in any Court-house ? Is it necessary that the unfortunates who have made bad debts should be dragged half across the country to prove them, and look aftei their own interests. The Act is simply a protection to wrong dealers, and tradesmen here are anxiously looking forward to the time when our legislators will make some amendment to it. They may look and expect in vain, for one can be certain that nothing will be done till the Chambers of Commerce in the large centres move, in the matter. One 1 bankrupt here actually got his discharge without paying a single farthing to his creditors. His- trustee spent some seven or eight pounds in necessary advertising, and in trying to collect the accounts said to be owing to the estate.

He was so unsuccessful however in the latter, that he considered himself lucky when the bankrupt, after his discharge, offered £5 for the lot, which lain informed amounted to a considerable sum. One bankrupt yesterday was. sentenced to three months' imprisonment for fraudulently favouring one creditor (his father) at the expense of the Others. Another debtor, whose case is still sub judice, deposed on oath at the first meeting of creditors, that he commenced business without funds, and that he knew he was losing money every day (see Timaru Herald). That man carried on his business with his creditors' money for nearly four months. They may get ss. in the £, and he will get his discharge. One great evil is, that men who can scarce write their own names, and who have no knowledge of accounts or the manner of conducting business, set up as storekeepers, &c. In some of those heathen settlements in the East Indian Islands, n man is not allowed tc enter on any trade, either for himself or another, without he has the means or a knowledge of accounts such as they use. The Government too has an inspector, who periodically examines tradestnens' books, and sees that they are solvent. But then, you see, they are only savages. Here, such, a thing would be a dreadful infringement on the liberty of the subject. His Worship's farm yard must have suffered severely of late from the depredations of poultry lifters, when he came down on two thoughtless offenders (both of them had previously bornu good characters) and sentenced them to three months' imprisonment for stealing a turkey, valued at six shillings. A numerously signed petition has gone forward to > his Excellency, asking him to remit such portion of the sentence as he in his clemency may deem fit.

The Insurance Agent's Association, or rather I suppose the " Marine " portion of that body, are taking steps to have a surveyor for the port appointed, who shall see that all vessels whish load here shall be well found and tight. As it is, any old " shellback," or irresponsible person, can and do survey, even though they be interested parties. It is said that a part owner, who is a " Captain " here, once surveyed the vessel he was interested in; nevertheless some of the crew, in spite of his good report, preferred to forfeit such wages as were due and leave the ship. It is to be hoped that your new Borough Council, when elected, will work more harmoniously together than some I wot of. Some of our Timaru Councillors are particularly obstructive if any proposal is made to spend money on works which are? distant from their properties. Have you ever heard how Chinaman tastes ? An acquaintance from Queensland tells me that the blacks there prefer the flat faced Mongol to the Caucasian, ac the}' are not so salt, and they are. I expect, easier killed and not so tough. Even the black fellow is an epicurean in somethings, you see. ISHMAEL.