TELEGRAMS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 781, 26 May 1885, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

[Per United Press Association.] Wellington, May 23. Civil proceedings are to be instituted against the board of directors of the New Zealand Leather Manufacturing Company in existence iu 1883. Some of the shareholders were desirous that a criminal prosecution should be commenced, but agreed by a majority to proceed against the late directors on the civil side of the Court. Damages will be claimed on several counts, probably on five. Three counts have already been decided upon. The first will allege that the directors fraudulently misrepresented the company’s affairs by moans of a balancesheet presented at a meeting iu 1883, whereby the shareholders wen; induced to continue the business ; the second will set forth that the directors were negligent in the performance of their duties ; and the third will allege that they took over the property without being duly authorised so to do. The plaintifis will claim damages on each count, and will also ask to be indemnified against the working expenses of the company since the presentation of tho balancesheet in 1883. ;Blenheim, May 23. A case under the Licensing Act catnc before the R.M. this morning, the information being laid by the police against a publican selling liquor at the Druids' ball iu the Oddfellows’ Hall, such place not being a place of public amusement within the meaning of the 30th section of the Licensing Act. The puhlicau held a conditional license granted by the licensing committee to sell at the ball, but it was contended by the police that the committee had no power to grant it, as admission was by ticket, and as the Druids had power to exclude the public. Mr Allen, R.M., said the point was very doubtful, but dismissed the information, recommending the police to have such an important matter tested by a writ of prohibition iu the Supreme Court.