NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1206, 15 January 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Obickbt Match.—The final innings of the Australiiii team did not eventuate, owing to the steady downpoiu' of rain. The result is a drawn game. A dinner is to be given to the cricketers to-night. Lyiha Howaede Company.—This company will open at the Gaiety Theatre on Thursday evening next for a short season. They have recently been playing in Wellington.

Refreshment Booths. —Mr J. G-. Hawkes sold by auction to-day the sites for booths, &c, on the Cricket Ground, at the cricket match between the Australian and Canterbury teams. The prices realised were—Refreshment booth, Mr Poole, £6 ; No. 1 publican's booth, £SO, Mr Cookson; No. 2 publican's booth, £4B, Mr Maples ; confectioner's booth, £2O, Mr Poole ; total, £124. Count De Zaba. —We remind our readers that the lecture by this gentleman on the method of studying universal history, will take place this evening at the Congregational Schoolroom. Mr Inglis will take the chair. Eyheton Railway.—The five miles and ninety chains of formation and rails having been laid from West Eyreton to Bennett's Corner, on the Oxford line, it is understood to be the intention of the railway authorities to commence the running of through trains on and after February Ist, when another alteration in the time tablo will be issued. Presentation. —A number of the friends of Mr A. R. Inwood, who has carried on business as a solicitor in Akaroa for the last two years as a partner of the firm of Messrs Nalder and Inwood, met in Bruce's Hotel on Saturday evening last for the purpose of presenting him with a souvenir of his residence amongst them. Mr Justin Aylmer made the presentation, which consisted of an elegant clock in black marble on behalf of the subscribers, remarking on the loss that Mr Inwood's leaving would bo to the district, and hoping that success would attend him in his new field of labor, which his numerous friends there wished him. The rest of the evening was spent in the manner which obtains pri such leave-taking occasions. Mr Inwood, we understand, proceeds in a few davs to Christohurcb, to resume t)j<j practice of to ffQ$WW'

POLITICAL.—It is stated that it is the intention of: MrDe Lautour, member for Mount Ida, to resign liis seat, as he finds it impossible to devote half a year to Wellington. Heatjicotk Road Boaed.—The nomination of candidates to Jill the extraordinary vacancies on this Board took place yesterday at noon. Messrs T. J. Moule and J. Sandford being the only candidates nominated, those gentlemen were declared duly elected by Mr G-. L. Lee, the returning officer. Rkutkr's Agency.—Amongst the passengers who arrived at Melbourne by the steamer Kent, a few days ago, was Mr Griffiths, secretary to Reuter. Mr G-riffiths's mission is to inquire into the working of the Agency in these colonies.

Ku.uara Gold.—Miller, Warren, and party, on the Ross Lead, Kumara, are reported by the local paper to have obtained 83 ozs. 7 d wts. of gold for three weeks' work ; and Miller, Agnew, and party obtained 37 ozs. for ten days' work, just before Christmas.

Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners.—A meeting of carpenters and joiners was held at the Oddfellows' Hall, Rangiora, on Saturday, with the object of forming a branch of this society. The chairman, having opened the meeting by referring to the benefits of the society, introduced the delegates from Christchurch, each of whom gave his experience, extending over many years; Mr Rodgers, president, stating that he had (while acting in the capacity of treasurer in a London branch) paid over the £IOO accident benefit in three cases, lie also explained that the funds of the society belong to all branches in proportion to the number of members, the differences being remitted from branch to branch each year. Mr Wilkins, district secretary, explained the objects of the society, with especial reference to the Sick and Funeral and Lost Tool Benefits. A resolution was passed that a branch of the society should be formed, and, after the enrolment of several members, Mr W. Pollock was chosen secretary pro. tern., and Mr W. Thomson, treasurer. The thanks of the new branch were heartily accorded to Mr F. Rodgers, president, and Mr C. J. Wilkins, district secretary, delegates from Christchurch.

Friends of Labour Loan and Investment Society.—The third general halfyearly meeting of the above society was held last evening at the Market Hotel, and was very numerously attended. The secretary, Mr Ofcley, read the report and balance sheet, from which it appeared that the society continues to progress very favourably, and now numbers 181 members, holding 392 shares, with a capital of £985 15s. Luring the past half-year loans have been granted to members to the amount of £1283 10s, and principally in loans of £2O and under. The amount of profit now in hand is £132 5s 9d, and the secretary recommended that a dividend of 10 per cent, for the half-year shall be declared, and added to mourners' stock. This will amount to £BS 6s lid, leaving a reserve fund of £46 18s lOd to cover risks on loans now out. The report and balance sheet were received and adopted, and the meeting proceeded to elect officers for the ensuing halfyear. Mr Menzies was elected as president, Mr S. Alpe as cashier, and Messrs Brooker, Graham, Hood, and Taylor were elected as committeemen, and Mr Collinß was elected as trustee. It was resolved—" That a special general meeting shall be called on Monday, January 28th, to take into consideration the scale of salaries now paid to the ollicers of the society." The meeting then closed with a vote of thanks to the retiring officers.

AsiIBTTRTON WATER Supply.—On Tuesday, the Bth instant, the question of a water supply for the town of Ashburton was again brought under the notice of the County Council by Mr Bullock, who spoke strongly of the necessity of such being obtained as soon as possible, for fire prevention and other purposes. The Council took the matter up with the utmost promptitude, and after some discussion, it was decided to offer a premium of £IOO for the best scheme for this purpose, the advertisement of which appeared, in the first papers published, clearly showing that it is the wish of the Council to consult the interests of the town as well as those of the country. Too much cannot be said in favor of an abundant supply of water for a town which will, in all probability, in a few years be very thickly inhabited, if one cm judge by the progress made during the past twelve months. The sanitary condition of the town will be improved, and eventually a system of drainage introduced, which will still further benefit the inhabitants and increase the value of property. All praise is due to the Ashburton Fire Brigade for bringing this matter forward, and also to Mr Bullock for the able manner in which he supported it when before the Council. Trustees in Bankruptcy.—At a recent sitting of the District Court in Hokitika the Clerk of the Court made an application to his Honor Judge Weston respecting the cases in which he became trustee. In most of these cases he stated that there were no assets, for when there was any property the creditors appointed their own trustee. He was obliged to make inquiries, and often to incur expense, and it became a question whsther he had to pay the expenses out of his own pocket, or how was he to obtain them. His Honor said he was glad the clerk had mentioned this matter, as it gave him an opportunity of referring to what he considered an improper principle in the Bankruptcy Act. On a man filing, his estate vested in a trustee, and if there were assets they appointed their own trustee. If there was no trustee, the Eegistrar was bound to give the matter to an accountant in bankruptcy. In the event of an accountant refusing, the Act made a tool of an officer of of the Court. This unhappy officer was called upon to do ail this at his own cost—at at a cost the creditoi-6 would not undertake themselves. He could not conceive how the Legislature could place officers in such a derogatory position. By and by, perhaps the Legislature would see the force of these remarks, and appoint one or two accountants, either salaried or otherwise, to wind up estates, and who would he oflicers of the Court and responsible to the Court. He was met yesterday with the objection that because creditors did not oppose, bankrupts should get their discharges, and the Court appear a mere tool. Ho did not think the learned gentleman was serious who propounded this theory. He quoted remarks by his Honor Mr Justice GHllies on the same subject, and added —The trustee was a gentleman on whom the Court should lean, but in many cases trustees were valueless. Yesterday a trustee came into Court and stated that a certain bankrupt was a respectable man, and that he had no objection to his getting his discharge. The first half a dozen questions, however, put to him, showed that, if a rebpeetable man, ho was not a respectable bankrupt. Unless the Judge made a stand, the Bankruptcy Act was ? »efe t>fPsi