MISCELLANEOUS.

North Otago Times, 23 October 1905, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS.

A rather amusing scramble for a debtor's effects recently took place in a district town a few days ago (says the Mataura Ensign.) A rumour had been circulated that the man intended to seek fresh fields, which induced several ol his creditors to make a descent upon his dwelling. It is asserted that the door of the house was forced open with a spade, and each creditor then took what he recognised as having been sold by him. The house was speedily stripped, the creditors on the spot thus summarily dividing the available portions if the estate. Those creditors who unfortunately lived at a distance, i.ot having had an opportunity to share in the dividend, are now, not unnaturally, complaining of the want of considei a'.ion shown by those nearer at hand. They consider that a false start was made; and there is talk of an attempt to compel the dividend-takers to share the spoil when the estate is being wound up by the deputy official assignee. Trentham Hall, the beautiful Staffordshire seat of the Duke of Sutherland which lies on the borders of the Potteries, is to be closed, at least for a time. In a letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, Chairman of the Staffordshire County Council, the Duke states that owing to the pollution hy sewage of the Trent he is forced to the conclusion that Trentham is a ruined residence, and that he has no choice but to close the hall where his family has resided for so long a period, The Stoke-on-Trent Corporation having taken no steps to check the discharge of the sewage of the borough into the Trent, his Grace's solicitors 1 have been instructed to take legal : proceedings against the Corporation 1 The news of the proposal to close ! Trentham Hall has been received 1 with deep regret throughout North Staffordshire, where the Duke and " Duchess have done much splendid 3 philanthropic work. The greal 2 park and charming woods at Trent 3 ham have always been open to the r puMic. as pleasure and recreatioi ? DMiiiids.