Supreme Court hearing.

Puisne Judge Norma Wade signed papers that officially ended the life of the Times, which folded last May, and appointed Registrar of Companies Kymn Astwood as an official receiver.

Financial statement for the company were not available yesterday, but lack of advertising was blamed when the weekly newspaper was closed.

Its directors said the paper needed a $300,000 bail-out if it was to continue publishing.

Last minute rescue bids were launched by lawyer Philip Perinchief but no backers came forward.