CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 243, 12 May 1868, Page 3

CHARLESTON NEWS.

A case which cropped up in Court' here the other day, brought out in a -strong light one of the many imperfections of our present insolvency laws. In reply to a suit for the recovery of an account, defendant's counsel pleaded insolvency, and put in a document , ■showing that a deed of assignment had, been executed by the required number' (three-fourths) of creditors. This was -considered a sufficient defence, and; the plaintiff was nonsuited. At the same time he stated that not only was he no party to the deed, but was entirely ignorant of its existence. An creditor, or one who is likely to be troublesome, can thus be , quietly put on one side without any hother. This injustice might be remedied by making it imperative on all parties executing a deed-of assignment for the benefit of creditors, to publish the same in the local newspapers. A suggestion to this effect has been made by Mr Groschen, M.P. to the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, as we perceive by the last mail's papers, the evil of these secret deeds of assignment having apparently, in the old country, grown into an intolerable nuisance which called for prompt remedy. The track leading to the Heads, we ■gladly observe, has been repaired sufficiently to allow of pedestrians enjoying with some degree of comfort this favorite walk, but the repairs, or rather patchings appear to be of the most ; superficial and temporary character. Mr Black had a capital benefit on i Priday night last, the Casino being i crammed with people. The performance of a farce called ' Twenty minutes with a Tiger,' a miscellaneous concert, ; a rope-tying feat a la Davenport, by Mr Strike, and five minutes with an automaton. The latter was something •original, and though brief, very good. The rising curtain disclosed a sort of Punch f and Judy box, with a square •opening in front, four or five feet from the floor, in which appeared a head with staring eyes and a comical visage. After a descriptive song, the lecturer, Mr Black, having first apparently wound up the machinery, propounded a lot of fuiiny "questions to the speaking automaton, to all of which the latter, in a strange unearthly voice, gave replies which convulsed the audience with laughter. Automaton and machine as it was, it yet seemed touched by the inspiritingapplause, and showed Buch strong indications of beating its master in the talking line, that the latter hastily touched the check spring •of the machinery, and so brought the performance to a close. The usual weekly meeting of the Hospital Committee took place on Saturday evening. It was stated that the new surgeon, Dr Dakers, would commence his duties on the first of June. Payment of Mr Vorley's account was refused, on the ground that no authority had been given for the supply of the articles charged for. Mr Bain handed in a financial account <of the late entertainment, from which it appeared that the total receipts for ' tickets sold and money taken at the door, amounted to £55 lis. 6d., while the expenses, including £8 lis. for the use oi the room, amounted to £l6 95., leaving a net sum of £39 2s. 6d., which had been paid into the bank to the credit of the institution. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr Bain and the ladies and gentlemen who kindly gave their services on the occasion. An account of Thomas Dwan and Co., £l4 14s. 2d., for timber, was passed, subject to a deduction of 30s. overcharge. Mr D. Henderson's store and stock were sold by auction on Saturday, by Bain Brothers. The store fetched £215, cash, and the stock realised between two and three hundred pounds

more, very fair prices being obtained for mostly all the articles put up. Mr Amos's shop was offered for sale the same day by Mr Dwan, but bought in. A considerable quantity of paper-hangings, painter's goods, and a lot of fancy articles, were however sold, and brought good prices. Some fun was occasioned on Friday afternoon, by a match at single wicket being played between two gentlemen well known in the town It came off on the usual cricket ground, or rather swamp, and Mr Stebbing going in first was bowled out for two wides. Mr Bowen then went in, and out again soon after for one run. In the second innings, Stebbing scored one run and a wide, and Bowen another run and a wido, Mr Stebbing therefore being the victor by one. We do not think either of the gentlemen belong to the Charleston Cricket Club.