LATEST FROM THE KAIKOURAS.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 190, 21 August 1869, Page 4

LATEST FROM THE KAIKOURAS.

We have been so much occupied lately with more important matters, that our pleasant friend of the Herald will think himself somewhat neglected. We must, however, look over the last number, and see if we cannot extract a few drops of honey to interest our readers.

We share his gratification in finding that the cattle disease, which has been exceedingly virulent in that district, has entirely disappeared. He purposes shortly discussing the subject, with a view of preventing its re-appearance, and in the meantime hopes that, “ should the district be still locked up, Id is Honor the Superintendent will at once take steps for its removal.” We presume what is meant is the publication of a proclamation under the Diseased Cattle Act.—The Customs Duties collected at Kaikoura during July was£l2B 1 6s lid, a sum which, if it does not benefit the Province greatly, is so much wrested from Wellington.—A schooner from Lyttelton has embarked a Mr. Tempest and 600 sheep at Flaxbourne, and sailed for Fiji.— Some additions are being made to the Post and Telegraph Offices, and a contractor has had to be imported for the purpose.—The proceedings in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, as reported, seem very odd. There is one case where the constable, as collector of the Local Education Rate, sued a Mr. W. for £l, rate due 30th June last. Mr. R., as a J.P., appeared to defend the case. The constable, as plaintiff, objected to this procedure, after eliciting that Mr. B. had not written authority ,rom defendant to act, and quoted clause 30 of the Resident Magistrate’s Act in support thereof. His worship admitted that the objection was fatal, but as the gentleman was a J.P., and a partner of defendant’s, lie would hear what he had to say, “ but not on oath !” The case proceeded without any further difficulty after this. Mr, B :—■

“ Produced a receipt for payment of rate for thei year 1868,|from Mr. Home, (late schoolmaster here), the Bench observed there was no form of receipt specified in the Act, the Board appeared to have been very careless in the matter, in not informing the Collectors when the year began or ended, it was evident through the receipt being given for 1868 the defendant had not paid the rate for the present year. He would give judgement for the rate, plaintiff to pay the costs, £llos. In answer to plaintiff, the Bench said it was not on Mr. Beaumont’s evidence, but upon the error in the receipt that he had given his decision.”

Another case of a similar kind follows ; the main difference being that defendant relied upon the circumstance that plaintiff ought to ask him for the rate, or send a bill, a slight idiosyncrasy of which he was divested by the bench, who added £1 15s. costs to the amount. We have puzzled over the first case named, in order to discover on what ground the costs was given against plaintiff, but cannot understand it. Mr. B. was evidently allowed to give evidence by producing the receipt, as the decision was given, according to the Herald, upon it. The local .Education Committee will be disinclined to patronise the Court much after this, and the loss of 30s. will fall we fear on the poor schoolmaster. We notice that Mr. C. J. Hae has been appointed agent at Blenheim for the Kaikoura Herald, and will be happy to receive subscriptions and advertisements.