TEMUKA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2866, 1 June 1882, Page 2

TEMUKA.

A public meeting of the townspeople was held on Tuesday evening at the Star Hotel, Mr Franks in* the chair. The Chairman said the meeting was called to consider the following proposal, viz’ : “That in the, opinion of this meeting, tho “Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Act” should be further amended so as to provide that no debtor should file for a less sum than £IOO, and that when having filed he shall be entirely in the hands of his creditors, and that no bankrupt shall obtain his discharge without the consent in writing of a majority in number representing at least three-fourths in value of the joint creditors; also, that no solicitors fee shall be payable out of the debtor’s estate without tho consent of a majority of the creditors." Mr Hayhurst disapproved of 4he practice of allowing strangers to run into debt. Mr Mendelson did not like tho legal formula which so delays bankruptcy proceedings, and he proposed as an amendment —“ That a Bankruptcy Act bo so formed that the management be entirely under the control of a’ Commission composed of mercantile men.’’ Mr Eussell seconded this. The Chairman, however, ruled the amendment out of order, The resolu was carried. Mr Toomey moved—That this meeting desires to point out that much of the evil of the “ Debtors and Creditors Act ’’ arises from the fact that, under Clause 19, Judges are given power to make rules and that by these rules tho spirit of the Act is defeated inasmuch as that it gives too much benefit to the solicitors at the expense of the creditors, and would suggest that the making of rules bo left in tho hands of a Commission of mercantile men instead of tho Judges.'’ Mr Leo seconded the resolution,which was carried unanimously. Mr Hayhurst moved —“ That no bill of sale boot any use to tho party taking the same over any property, unless tho debtor giving the same has given notice to*idl his creditors seven clear days of his intention to do so.”

Mr Siogert seconded the motion and it was carried. It was also resolved :—l. “ That with a view to the encouragement of the industries of the colony, both agricultural and mechanical, this meeting

would respectfully suggest to the Legslature the advisability of abolishing the property tax and substituting therefor an income tax, and a tax say Is per acre per annum upon all unculti vated freehold agricultural land in the colony.” 2. “That copies of the above resolution bo sent to the various Chambers of Commerce throughout the colony, asking for their endorsement, or suggesting amendments, after which the whole be forwarded to the Committee appointed by Government to revise the Bankruptcy Act.”