TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 392, 31 July 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(from the press agency.)

CHRiSTCHURCH.

A CURIOUS ACTION. LAND SALES. July 30. A rather curious action was commenced in the Supreme Court this morning. Dr. Campbell, plaintiff, and the executors of the late Mr. Mackay, defendants. Plaintiff's evidence shows that he attended Mackay professionally at various times for three years, prior to August 6th, 1876, when Makay died of heart disease. The day before his death, Mackay gave him a deposit note for LSOO, and a promissory note, as a parting gift, also a chequa for LSOO, to enable him to draw the money represented by the deposit note and promissory note. Mackay knew at the time that he was in a dying state, and made his will the same day. There was no witness present when Mackay made him the gift; he filled in the cheque by Mackay's request. Mackay signed tlie cheque, also endorsed the deposit note and promissory note. After Mackay's death he presented the cheque at the bank, but payment was refused on the ground that the signature was unlike Mackay's. The executors under Mackay's will refused to recognise the cheque, and Campbell now sues to recover the amount. The proprietor of the boarding-house where Mackay lived gave evidence that she was called into the sick-room by Campbell on the day the gift was made, to find Mackay's cheque-book. At that time Mackay was sitting up in bed, smoothing the bed-clothes to write on, and Campbell said, "You have given me these papers." Mackay replied, "I have." Campbell then said, "But what about your mother and sisters V when Mackay replied, " Never mind them ; they are all right." During this time no sum of money was mentioned. The case will be continued to-morrow. On Saturday last—San Francisco mail day—13,226 lettei-s were despatched from Christchuroh Post Office, July 31. The land sales yesterday realised L 23,857. .Nominations for the Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap, of 500 so vs., and Canterbury Cup, of 500 so vs., close at 8 p.m. to-morrow,