CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 715, 24 September 1870, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

(FROM OTJB OWI* CORRESPONDENT.) Friday. Two rather exceptional and, so fur as the local Vire Brigade is concerned, important cases came before the Bench this morning. Thomas Dwan, as captain of the brigade, sued a member, W. J. Moore., for the recovery of 15s for absence at three meetings for practice. The plaintiff produced a document, signed by the defendant, winch provided that in the event of any menvcr being absent from practice he should be lined five shillings for each offence, the tines to be recoverable at law by the captain of the brigade, lie stated that on one occasion the defendant sent a written apology, excusing himself on the grounds of illness, and on the third occasion he answered his name when the roll was called over, but would not fall into the brigade. The defendant objected to the document being admitted as evidence in consequence of not being registered, but the Bench held the agreement binding, and gave judgment for the plaintiff for 10s and costs. A similar actiou against abater and confectioner, named Sargison, fell through, in consequence of the defendant stating that he attached his signature to the document, under the belief that it was an undertaking to subscribe a small amount weekly towards the brigade. The document was not read over to him ; if it had been read he would have declined to sign, as it might have compelled him to neglect his business. The Bench gave a verdict for the defendant. The concert held at Brighton on Wednesday was a great success. The house was crowded and the funds of the local hospital will be largely augmented by the proceeds. There appears to have awakened in the minds of business people a belief that possibly a good deal of the impunity with which insolvents shield themselves, oft en unnecessarily, within the comfortable sanctuary "of the Bankruptcy Court is due to the indifference of creditors, either in opposing fraud or in investigating the accounts where there is palpable evidence of reckless expenditure. Only good can arise from parties interested subjecting all accounts to a rigid scrutiny —the unfortunate but honest man will not suffer, and the fraudulent bankrupt will at least run the risk of meeting his deserts. A meeting in the estate of Aiden Doyle was held at the Courthouse on Wednesday. The insolvent Avas closely examined, and, on production of accounts for six months prior to his insolvency, the debts were £l5O, and the assets amounted to £5 10s. Mr Kellinj was appointed Trustee.