DISTRICT COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 99, 28 April 1893, Page 2

DISTRICT COURT.

(Before His Honour Judge H. Eyre Kenny. On taking his seat on the Bench His Honour said that before the business of the day was proceeded with he wished to address a few words to the gentlemen of Bar. They all knew that news had been received of the death of the Premier. The intelligence had been received with profound regret, and he thought it only ajproper measure of respect that the Conrt should be adjourned. But as the business before the Court was of a very important character, and as gentlemen from the country had been twice put to the trouble of coming into town, lie did not /eel justified in adjourning the Court longer than till 2 o'clock. The Court would therefore adjourn until that hour. Mr Pitt said he had no doubt of the propriety of the course adopted by the Court which was obviously a proper one. Mr Fell and Mr Maginnity agreed with Mr Pitt, and the Court was formally adjourned. In the matter of the Exlewkd Wakita Qold Mining Company, in Liquidation. The Court resumed at two o'olook. Mr Fell, on behalf of Mr Reaveß, the liquidator, asked for a further adjournment. It was quite impossible for Mr Reeves to expl kin mittara without he cende an audit or tha ncoounts himself, and as the accounts had been ruuning for a numbsr of years that would take some days. If the adjournment were granted no doubt Mr Reeves would be able to do justice to himself and to the parties concerned. His Honour said if he adjourned the case at all he would adjourn uutil Thursday. He would, however, first he<ir Mr Maginnity. Mr Maginnity said that he had not the slighest wish to persecute Mr Reeves. He would point out that there were serious diaorepanoies in the accounts which ought to be explained. If time would enable Mr Reeves to give the explanations needed he would agree to the adjournment. He would, however, loave the matter in the hands of the Court. It was for His Honour to say whether time ought to ba allowed to Mr Reeves or not. His Honour said that tha application mido by Mr Fell on behalf of the liquidator was nothing more or less than an admission of gross carelessness. It showed clearly that the acouuts of the Company had not been kepb as the Act required. There was a very wide difference between culpable carelessness and dishoaesty. It would, therefore, he thought, bo only fair to allow Mr Reeves time to show that there had been no diehonsty on his part. Mr Maginnity asked His Honour to order all the books, vouchers, bills, dishonoured cheques, etc., in connection with the company, to be handed over to the Clerk of the Court. His Honour said he thought that suoh an order would not be practicable. Mr Webb Bowon hal quite enough to do without alditional work being put upon him, In his mind there was not tho slightest risk in allowing Mr Reeves to have full charge of the books, vouchers, etc. It would be t j his interest not to timper with them, aid ds regards vouchers the more he produced the bettrr for him. It would naturally be to the liquidator's interest not to lose any of them. Mr Reeves said that all he wanted was time to make up five years' accounts. Ho would be quite prepared on Thursday next ta produce all tho vouchers, etc., required, and to give the explanations Mr Maginnity required, Mr Maginnity had no right to make any imputitions as he was acting in a thoroughly honest and straightforward lnmner. His Honour said that Mr Reeves was not asked to make up any accounts- He was simply asked to explain and support by documentary evidence the Balance Sheet already made up. Mr Fell said Mr Ileeves had not the .slightest objection to have the books lodged anywhere. His diiliculty was simply that he could not put his hands on certain papers. Making away with papers could not help the matter, It would do the liquidator great harm. After further discussion His Honour adjourned the Court .until Thursday morning next, when applications in connection with the following companies will be hoard :— Extended Wakatu G. M. Co., Wakatu United U. M. Co., Murchison United G. M. Co., Enterprise G. M. Co., Owen Quartz Crushing Company. His Honour said that on Thursday morning next the Court would expect Mr Iteeves to produce ail books, vouchers, butts of cheque books, bills, dishonoured cheques, etc. j Mr Reeves said ho would produce all the documents and books required.