THE COURTS—TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 10708, 22 August 1898, Page 2

THE COURTS—TO-DAY.

SUPREME COURT—IH BANKRUPTCY

[Before His Honor Mr Justice Pennefather.)

laing's case.

His Honor held a special sitting this morning, as arranged, in order to take the public examination of Francis Herriot Laing, of Donedin, produce merchant. Mr 0. G. Graham (Official Assignee) said: This was the day fixed for the public examination of the bankrupt. I could not find him to serve the notice npon him, and therefore applied for a warrant. That, however, has not been exeonted. We cannot find him.

His Honor: Is there any reason to suppose that he has left the colony ? The Assignee: 1 have no reason to suppase he has left the colony. I believe he has been too carefully shepherded for that. The probability is that he is not far off. His Honor: I understand that he is to appear here this day week. The Assignee said that he was supposed to. His Honor: What course do yon propose should be adopted ? Of course the Court is bound to hold a special sitting in a case like, this at any moment it is asked for in order to prevent an evasion of justice. The Assignee: We can do nothing but let the matter stand over until we get hold of him,. His Honor: No. When the warrant is executed and the bankrupt is found I will hold a special sitting of the Court immediately on your application. lam afraid that is the only thing that can be done—the only thing in my power to do. NEXT bankeuptcv day. On the application of the Assignee the next regular sitting in Bankruptcy was fixed for the Bth September at 10.30 a.m. MAGISTRATE'S COURT. (Before E. H. Carew, Esq., S.M.) Judgment was given for plaintiffs, with costs, in the following undefended oases : Ahlfeld Bros, and Co. (Mr Sim) v. M. A. North (Greymouth), claim £lO 2* lOd, on a dishonored promissory note (costs £1 10a Od); William Coghlan v. Charles R. Menlove, claim £ll, on a dishonored cheque (ooßts 15s); the New Zealand Co-operative and Agency Company, Limited (Mr James) v. John Gaffney (Waimate), claim £1 6a 7d, on a dishonored promissory note (costs 83); Moritwon and Hopkin v. Frederick Barton, claim £3 3s lOd, for goods supplied (costs 7-*) James Allan v. Daniel Curaey.— Claim, £2 10j, for services rendered. Mr Moore appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Barclay for defendant.—After evidence His Worship nonsuited plaintiff, with costs (£1 hj).

CITV POLICE COURT. (Before Mr J. Hyman and Mr S. G. Smith, Justices.) Drunkenness.—One first offender was convicted and discharged, and Thomas Hannan was fined 5s with the usual alternative. By-law Cases.—For allowing cattle to wander at Anderson Bay, Mary M'Bride was fined 7s 6d. John Connor was charged with driving round the corner of George and St. Andrew streets at other than a walking puce. Defendant did not appear, and was fined 10a. For keeping dogs without having them registered, Christina Donaldson, John Metcalfe, and William Summers were each fined 5s with costs, and Thomas Farrell and George Rouse were fined 2s 6d without costs.