Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 98, 5 September 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

The Budget. — By telegram from Wellington this morning, we learn that the debate on tlie Budget is postponed till the result of Mr Fox's " No confidence " motion is knoArn. Diocksan Synod. — As the Synod meets on. . Wednesday next, Sept. 9, the Churchwardens of St. Michael's request that the copies of the < etition lately circulated for signature may be returned. Westlaktj. — We have received information from Wellington this morning to the effect that an amended Westlaml Bill will be brought into the Assembly. By the new Bill the Chairman of the County Council will be elected. The Bill is not to he finally considered till the Imperial Validating Act has been received. V Alarm of Fire. — At twenty minutes to o'clock last evening, an alarm of fire was raised, in consequence of a large cloud of smoke being seen to rise in the centre of the Triangle. It/svas discovered that a chimney was ou fire, but a few moments only sufficed to allay any fears of a conflagration. The expedition with which the London, Liverpool, and Globe engine was brought out cannot be too highly commendedL and many of tbo Fire Police were on the spot in a remarkably short snace of time after the sounding of the fire bell. Accident. — An accident occurred in the narrow road way through Cathedral square this morning. Tbe horse attached to a phaeton took fright, and began to plunge about from one side of the roadway to the other. A pony ridden by a man also became restive, and plunging to one side, came in contnet with the phaeton, and rolled over. Its rider released himsel I from the stirrups with great dexterity, and thereby saved himself from being crushed by the pony. Neither horse nor man, we are glad to report, sustained any injury beyond a little shaking. Mektings of Creditors. — A meeting of creditors in the estate of Thomas Topping, farmer, Ashley Bank, near Rang'ora, was to have been held at the Registrar's Chamber, at 1 1 o'clock this morning, but lapsed through non-attendance of creditors. The estimated liabilities in this estate amount to £188 7s4d, and the assets to £28 2s Od; deficiency, £160 5s 4d. Mr Wynn Williams is solicitor for the bankrupt. A meeting of creditors in the estate of James Smith, auctioneer, late of Wellington, but now a prisoner for debt in Lyttelton gaol, was to hare been held at 12 o'clock, but lapsed also through non-atten- ' dance. The liability amounts to £107 5s 2d, being a debt owing to Hargreaves & Co., the detaining creditor. There are no assets. Mr Joynt is solicitor for the bankrupt. Match Firing. — The third annual competition for Mr Bishop's cup by. representative squads of the Christchurch Volunteer Corps took place to-day, at Hillsborough. The men were divided into two squads, one of which proceeded to the range by the 8.30 a.m. train, aud the other by that leaving Christchurch at 2.30 p.m. The late termination of the latter squad prevents us giving more than the scores made during the morning, and these, it will be seen are decidedly in favour of No. 6 Company Rifles. The weather was in every respect most favourable for the firing, but much personal discomfort was caused to the competitors by the quantity of water lodging on the ground at the longer ranges. Captain Lean was in charge of 1 the firing, and markers were provided by , each company. The scores made were as follows :— Artillery, 106 ; Engineers, 156. I No 2 C.R.V., 103, and No 6 C.R.V., 117. In order to compare these totals correctly, 52 ' points should be deducted from that of the I Engineers, who had one man in excess of the other squads, and will consequently be one less in the afternoon's scoring. No 2 1 Company at present hold the cup, but the 1 morning's shooting does not promise well for their supremacy being maintained.

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Sir George Grey. — By a telegram from Wellington we learn that, as a farewell demonstration to Sir George Grey, there is to be a luncheon at tbe Odd Fellows' Hall, Wellington, and theMatarua is to be accompanied by a steamer through the Heads. By telegram from Wellington this morning, we are informed that Sir George Grey visited both Houses of Assembly last night. He was received by the members standing, and sat in a special chair at the Speaker's right. Postal. — The Otago Daily Times of Sept. 3, says :— The directors of the Chamber of Commerce caused to be forwarded to the Postmaster General a copy of the resolution recently adopted by them,, as to the necessity for keeping up mail communication •with England by the Suez route. We understand tbat a reply has been received by the Secretary to the Chamber, to the effect that the financial condition of the colony renders it impossible to continue to subsidise a steamer to bring to New Zealand letters by the Suez mail ; bnt that mails for that route will continue to be sent and to be received, by unsubsidised steamers. /^Stevens, Swindler. — This character, who about the beginning of August, victimised at least one local firm, has gone, it is believed to America by last Panama mail. We are informed that he managed to get a forged acceptance on Cvuikshank and Co of Auckland, cashed in Melbourne ; that he drew upon D. Nathan and Co of Auckland, for £2000, which amount he contrived to get in oash ; and tbat he ordered, but did not obtain goods to the amount of £3000 from the \ L6ngland's Foundry Co in Melbourne. Stevens escaped from Hobs rt Town on July 23 in the schooner Cleopatra, and was in Lyttelton on Aug. 2. We have seen a carte de vi.iite of the accomplished chevalier a" Industrie, and we must say that it indicates a man of considerable personal attractions and intellect. XPost Office Clock. — The much agitated question of a public clock at the Post office, has at length been set at rest, and the postal time is now observable on the gable end of the building looking towards Cathedral square. A time-piece made to suit the requirements of the building, by Messrs Coates and Co, has been fixed on the east side of the large window over the veranda^ and although much too small for the purpose is still distinct at a moderate distance, the hands and figures being as bold as permissible by the dial. The toon will no doubt be greatly appreciated by the public, but it may be questioned whether true economy would not have been better considered, if a clock more in keeping with the building and wants of the public had been adopted at once. The present one is certainly far from either of these. Lecture. — A lecture on earthquakes was delivered in St. Paul's schoolroom, Papanui, by the Rev. L. Moore, on Thursday evening last. The room was densely crowded, and the remarks of the lecturer rendered easier of comprehension by a series of coloured diagrams, were listened to with the closest attention throughout. The two principal causes operating to alfrr the surface of the carth — water and fire — were chiefly dwelt upon. The former was illustrated by the constant removal of matter to a lower level by rivers, and the latter by the unequal pressure exerted on the crust of the earth, whereby the surface was upheaved, causing subsidences, or finding vent through the craters of volcanoes. From this the lecturer passed to a description of a submarine earthquake and earthquake wave, then touched upon the principal earthquakes and volcanoes recorded in history, and conclude i by calling attention to St. Peter's statement that the world that now is, shall eventually be destroyed by fire, preparation for which the rev. lecturer solemnly urged on his audience. Amended Bankruptcy Act. — A correspondent has favoured us with a summary of the most important clauses of the amended Baukruptcy Act, which is to be introduced by the Government during the present session of the General Assembly, Messrs Travers and Macfarlan undertaking the management of the Bill by request. Clause 3 revokes all powers in bankruptcy held by registrars of the Supreme Court and by clerks of District Courts under the Bankruptcy Act, 1867 ; clause 4 provides that the Governor sliall appoint for each judicial district such a number of registrars in bankruptcy (i « , distinct registrars), as shall seem necessary ; clause 5 provides that such registrars in bankruptcy shall perform all the duties imposed upon or held by registrars of the Supreme Court and clerks of district courts under the Bankruptcy Act, 1867 ; clause 6 gives regis-' trars in bankruptcy power to take affidavits ; clause 7 provides that registrars in Bankruptcy shall examine acounts with bankrupts and prepare reports for presentation to the Court ; clause 8 provides that after the filing of the declaration, the property of the debtor shall, until the election of a trustee by the creditors, vest absolutely in the provisional trustee (i.e., the the Registrar in Bankruptcy) ; clause 9 provides that it shall be lawful for any debtor taken into custody under judgment from the Supreme Court or any inferior Court to file a declaration of insolvency and thereupon (i.e., immediately — under the Act now in operation, three weeks must elapse) — may apply by petition to the Judge for discharge from custody upon such terms as to the Judge shall seem meet. [Notwithstanding discharge, the clause reserves the right to the judgment creditor to prove his claim under the adjudication — under the Act of 1 867, an execution creditor cannot do so.] Clause 1 1 states that, "If a sufficient number of creditors do not attend tbe meeting appointed by the order of adjudication, it shall be lawful for the Registrar in Bankruptcy, or for the person appointed by him under section 95 of the Act 1867, to adjourn such meeting for seven days, notice of which adjournment shall be gazetted, and if a sufficient number of creditors do not attend such adjourned meeting, the Registrar in Bankruptcy shall then be vested with all the

powers conferred on trustees and supervisors by the Bankruptcy Act, 1867, and shall perform all the duties required of him by such Act. The Court shall forthwith, after said adjournment, appoint a day for the bankrupt to pass his last examination in manner required by section 111 of the said Act. Clause 12 provides that no trustee chosen at a meeting of creditors shall be deemed to be duly elected, unless two creditors at least concur in his election. Clause 13 provides " that no appeal shall lie against any order of discharge granted prior to the passing of this Act, after the expiration of one month from the date at which this Act shall come into operation."