Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 175, 15 May 1869, Page 3

Local and General News.

The New Bank —We are informed that Nixon and Co.’s tender, being the lowest, will be most likely accepted. The following gentlemen are appointed Auditors of the Courts of law trust accounts ;—S. L. Muller* Esq., for Blenheim, and W. H. Pilliet, Esq., for Kaikoura. ' Flax Mills. —We are happy to say that this important industry will shortly be an established fact in Blenheim. Mr James Colman, of the Grove, has this week taken for a term of years the plot of land situate between Mr. Bothams’ and Dr. Horne’s. The timber for the erection of the necessary buildings is, we believe, already ordered, and the machinery, we are informed, will be here as soon as possible. We most heartily wish him “ God speed.”

P A; Meeting of the Trustees of the Blenheim Cemetery was held on Thursday last, when it was determined to fence in the whole of the ground, and lay it out in portions to be allotted to the various religious bodies on application. The funds are to be obtained by public subscription, aided by collections in the different places of worship. Mr. J. M. Hutcheson has been appointed a trustee in room of the Rev. Mr. Russell, deceased. JP ’ The Burgesses of Blenheim will scarcely ns£d reminding that the poll will be open this day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m t , at the. Council Chambers. Voting papers may be had at Dr. Muller’s office, and in the Hall. It must be borne in mind that the qualification of the voter must be expressed in the same manner as on the electoral roll, a copy of which maybe freely inspected at the Express Office. The candidates are Messrs. W. Nos worthy, Collie, Sinclair, Dodson, James T. Robinson, Litchfield, Bomford, Hutcheson, H. Williams, Hodson, Norgrove, Bytbell, M‘Elwain, and Lawrence. Voters can' select any of those iMuaes/but not oxcoediag Niaoiirall-

The Provincial Council will meet on Tuesday at 3 p.m., when several new Bills will be laid before them, and among the rest one in lieu of the present Education Act. Estimates have been prepared for 3 months on the usual scale for all existing officers, with the exception of the Crown Land Commissioner and the Interpreter, for whom nothing is set down ; also compensation in the cases of Messrs. Robinson (£SO), Griffiths (.£’s), M‘Rae (.£SO), and Williams (.£53); sums for repairs to the Opawa, Tua Marina, and Spring Creek bridges, and the Taylor Pass road; and sundry miscellaneous items. ' Opr Roads.— We have seen a private note addressed to Mr. Lewis, mail contractor, by the Rev. Mr. Soutar, wherein he states that on Tuesday, the 27th ult., he was at the Grove, aud wishing to return to Picton, but could not, being obliged to leave his horse and return by Liardet’s boat. He concludes thus—“ The road between

the Grove and Mahakipawa is in a most dangerous state, and if not repaired before winter it will be quite impassable. In point of badness the road through the Kaituua Valley is nothing compared with it ” The Launch of the “ Amateur,” —The oul adage “ ’Tis an ill wind which blows no good” has been exemplified in the flood which caused us so much annoyance and trouble a few days ago. The handsome little craft, recently built by our enterprising townsmen, the Messrs. Norgrove Bros., had a few days previously placecTupcm the skids for launching, but on Tuesday, the 27th ult., the element —over which, we trust, she is long destined to ride in safety—rose up to meet her. She is now moored alongside Mr. Gorrie’s wharf, where she is receiving her masts and spars. She is built on the diagonal principle, and is a noble specimen of the skill and perseverance of the young men who have built her. We have no doubt she wil turn out a profitable investment of their capital, and prove, in more senses than one, a “ successful Amateur.” We notice in the Oamaru Times an account of the Wesleyan Anniversary at that place on the 24th ult., when the sermons were preached by the Rev. W. Lee. On Tuesday following the annual Tea Meeting was held, when 200 persons sat down. After lea the financial report was read, which showed an excess of expenditure during the year of .£42, besides some accounts still unpaid, and several improvements and repairs highly necessary. Mr Lee. in an interesting ar d earnest speech, expressed satisfaction at the cordial manner in which he had been introduced to the meeting, and rejoiced at the presence of so many members of other churches, both on the platform and in the hall. He was an enemy to bigotry, and was ever ready to co-operate with other sections of the Christian Church in presenting a bold front against a common foe. He dwelt on the importance of liberal giving to Christ’s cause, and still greater importance of the members of the church being characterised by holy living, earnest prayer, and ardent zeal. The total proceeds of the services were £sl 10s sd. Lamps for new ones !” cried the eastern Bfttgician, and so aaya the spirit-ed host of the Rainbow Hotel, who will to-day discard his old “glim,” which we are bound to confess was more ■fcfcair-pictisrcaqae—and in its stead erect a lamp, the equal of which, either for size or elegance of design we have not seen in the colonies before. It is supported in a massive frame on two posts 21 feet long, atari elevation of 15ft. from the ground. The lamp itself is 10 feet by Bft Gin in circumference, in the appropriate form of a cask, the staves of which are formed alternately of white and colored glass. On the top is a smaller cask labeled “Old Tom,” which serves as a ventilator, surmounted by an arc of bright blue, on which is inscribed in gilt letters, “ Rainbow Hotel.” The upper chime is surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves and gilded acorns, while the “ bilge” or centre is encircled by wreaths of our national emblems—The Rose, Shamrock, and Thistle. The bottom is supported by scrolled trusses radiating from a plinth, the spaces between which are filled with the fruit and foliage of the vine. The lamp was designed and manufactured by Mr.J. Smith, of Wynejqstreet. The wreaths and vines were designed and cut by Mr C J. Rae, to whom was entrusted the glazing aud decorating. The iron work was constructed by the Messrs. Bros., and the whole of the work reflects TEeThighest credit on the persons engaged ; and we may also say to Mr. Purkiss, who has so liberally patronised our local talent, instead of sending to Melbourne or Wellington—a custom which has hitherto been far too prevalent. Important to Debtors. —lt is not generally understood that the Resident Magistrate’s Act, 1868, gives the power of commitment to prison of persons indebted for sums of less than £lO in amount, audit is well that these provisions should be known to all parties. Section sof the Act states that where such sums, for which judgment has been obtained previously, remains wholly or partially unsatisfied, the plaintiff may obtain a summons requiring the debtor to appear and be examined upon oath as to his estate and effects, and the manner and circumstances Under which he contracted the debt, or incurred the liability, as well as to the means and expectations he had, and has, of discharging the debt, aud as to the disposal of any prop3;ty. If the debtor does not appear, he may be apprehended, and if, when he attend, he refuse to give such information touchihg the debt, his, estate, and its disposition, or if it a'feear that he incurred such debt under false pretences, or by fraud, or breach of trust, or without a reasonable expectation of being able to pay it, or with intent to defraud his creditors, has caused to be made any gift, dealing! or transfer of any property, or removed or concealed the same ; or if it appear to the Court that since judgment had been obtained the debtor had the means or ability to pay such debt; of in case he does not appear to the summons, the Court may commit him to jail for not exceeding 3 months, during which period the plaintiff in the case shall not be required to pay the maintenance money required by Section 311 of the Bankruptcy Act. It is further provided that no iinprisoiggient under this Act shall in anywise operate as a satisfaction or extinguishment of the debt, nor does it protect the debtorlfrom being anew summoned for any other debt or default, nor deprive the creditor of any right to take out execution against the effects of such debtor. Another clause {2O) of the Act gives the Resident Magistrate the same powers as the Supreme Court to grant a writ of arrest •against debtors seeking to leave the Colony.