The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-05-02 00:00:00

THE BA.NKRITPUTCY OF EDWARD GEORGE
LEINER.

IZAIIOIP.ZYIIATIO.

An examination of witneeees in the bankruptcy of
Edward George bluer, of Norleyßrewer,Plymouth was bald
a firiv days at theStonehouse Bankruptcy Court, before
Mr. R. G. Edononds, the Registrar. Kr. J. P. Purse
a forth. trustee, Mr. W. W. Arlin.
l=ed Grace Windeatt said she entered Driver's service
In May last, and left on the 16th of March. She had not
charge of the plate, nor did she clean it, but saw it when
she walled table. Last saw the plate at the end of
January or beginning of February. Saw the silver cups
which the children used to drink from. There were about
a doom silver spoons and forks. Saw • silver tea and
coffee service, and a large silver water jug and centre-
piece. —Q. What became of the plate chest? A. Mr.
Frederick Lower took it away. It Ives taken out of the
late closet, and pat in one of the boy's !school boxes.
Frederick Lower is bankrupt's brother, and lives at Salis-
bury. Bankrupt was there at the tires, and helped pack
it.—Q. Were some pictures taken away 1— Witness
hesitated to answer, and the Registrar reminded her that
the result of the inquiry would not effect her. If she took
his advice she would tell all she knew.—Witness said she
could not tell how many pictures were taken away, but
she knew there were several—she thought four. The most
valuable ones were gone. Mr. Thuell, who kept • cigar
shop in Union-street, took the pictures away after the
plate was gone. Did not see Thuell take away anything
else. Heard that some pictures were taken from the
drawing-room, but could not say what. There was • large
quantity of bedding of • very good quality, and it was
kept in Mr. Lewers's room. Knew Mies Honicastle, who
had been the governess. She resided in York-street, Ply-
mouth. Knew of some boxes being taken there before the
pictures went away. They contained the children's books
Did not see the boxes packed. Lewer's sister and his
mother had been staying with him. The children went
away with their clothes. Bankrupt's daughter, Elsa
Lewer, had charge of the house during the month of
February. She went away in the end of March.—Q. Was
there anyone in possession of the house when these things
were being removed. A. Yes; Mr. Hawke. Could not
say when he came in, or when he left. Hawke came from
Mr. Wilkes. Lest saw Lower with Kr. Curies, 'elicitor,
on the 4th of March. Mr. Pascoe came to see Lower; he
was often there. No goods were removed then. Pascoe
often »menisci very late. Mrs. Lower left before her
husband came home: she only took away a dress in •
small bag. The plate was removed before Hawke came,
as were also the boxes to Mrs. Plorncertle's. Mr. Northey,
the auctioneer, took an inventory of the goods. Oakley
Lower, bankrupt's son, brought Burke to the house. Mr.
Wilkes canoe up two or three times Had no conversation
with bankrupt or his wife about the things going away.
Oakley Lower told Thuell to take the pictures away. He
said he had had • telegram from Mr. Wilkes about some
silver. That oe the night of March hd, and he said tlyi
silver, which was valuable, was to be taken to Mr. Wilkes 's
office. That was was after Hawke had taken possenion. The
silver was safe in the house, and was not, of eourse, sent
away for safety. Heard that the children went to • Mrs.
Lock's, in London. Oakley Lower went away • fortnight
or three weeks ago. Witness had not heard from any of
bankrupt's family, but Miss Horoccutie said she had.
Lower came down to Plymouth by the mail train on the
morning of the 4th of March, and he told his *eremite to
say be was not home. Hannah Edwards, one of the
servants, who now Lived at Preston, told Mr. J. Rodda,
we of the county bailiffs, that he was not at home ; when
Mr. Rodda, the high bailiff, called, witness told him
Lower was not at home, and that was true, as he left the
night before.
Edwin Wilkes, accountant, of Plymouth, stated he wee
Introduced to bankrupt in Bee mouth of June last. Mr.
Square sent for him to examine the accounts between
Lower and George Pabner Reed. Afterwards entices and
Mr. Arlie were made joint receivers in a Chancery suit
between Reed and Lower. Never, in point of fact, lent
Lower any money until November. He paid money for
Lower for debta he bail incurred in connection with his
trade with Reed. lower, when trading with Reed, sup-
plied certain goods to the partnership, for which he was
Individually liable. Did not think that all the money
lent was entered in his (witness's) cashbook, because he
sent the first CLSO from London, Was not certain that he
entered this in his cash-book when he came home ; all
that he could say was an honsetliccount
The Registrar: As an accountant investigating other
persons' account; do you mean to tell no. you did not
enter the loan of £l5O in your eaah-book I
Witness did not think he did enter it. Often
things In the lodger without first entering them rill!:
csah-book.
The Registrar: I should say that was done in cases of
embezzlement, not in ethers.
Witness; This ia inet embesslement.
. . .

The Rstrar : No, you amid not =baths from
yourself.
Witness mad: Ha never believed the law charged would
have been go heavy.
Did not put • man in pagandom of Lower's house in
B until • fortnight at ter be wee appointed

* The-iiiittrer : How was that.
Mr. W ; It arose from this fact that Mrs. Lower
said she had • large family in the house, and it would be
a very great pain to her te have a man in possession, but
she said she would allow an independent inventory to be
taken of every article in the house.
The Registrar What do you mean—allow an inventory
to he taken I
With, said the inventory was taken.
to Registrar: And although when appointed receiver
and an officer of this court you did not put • man in
ponenion until 14 days afterwards.
Witnesses : No I did it from respect to Mrs. Lower.
The Registrar: 'You have neglected your duty there.
Witness, continuiam said the statement of bankrupt's
affairs, which was produced at the meeting in London, was
taken away from mooting in some papers, and later on
be saw it at Mr. St Aubyn's offices, amongst the papers of
Mr. ("toted& He saw Lower soon after the first meeting
in the bankruptcy at the Euston-road Station, London.
He said that as there were so many threats against him
he was afraid to come to the meeting of creditors for fear
of being taken into custody. He asked him where be was
ping, and Lower said he should go out of Ragland, as it
was no use for him to stop.—(,l. Did he say you should
Year from him! A. I milked him not to write to me. I
said I did not wish to have anything more to do with him.
Witness went to London at the request of Mrs. Loc ,
bankrupt's sister, who said • gentleman wanted to ea
him about a composition in the case. When he got to
London be had • telegram saying that Mr. Chambers
would meet him In Argyll.square. lie did not think this
would be Lower as he thought he had gone out of the
country, but Lower did meet him there. He then said
he would pay Is. in the G composition, and would get it
how Mr. Code, of Liverpool. Lower turned out to be the
Mr. Chambers referred to. Had not written to Lower
under any other name, but had sent a letter to him. at
his request, addressed to Mrs. Lock. Mr. Square, before
the first meeting, told him that he had • warrant out for
Lower's apprehension, and he wrote to him under cover
to Mrs. Lock, because Lower said he was in jeopardy, and
did you wish anyone to know hie whereabouts. Told
Lower that he waa charged with forgery, and getting a boy
to ego his father's name to • bill, and he denied it in the
most strenuous manner. Witness told him he ought to
come hack and face the charges, and be said he had not
got the courage.—Q. Now, you heard what the servant
said—that plats was removed to your office A. It was.
—Q. What he. become of it A. It is now in fit George's
HAIL —Q. What do you mean, in St. GOOFfell Hall I A. I
sent it here immediately. —Q. But, as receiver, you bold
it as part of the estate. Have you ever handed it over to
the trustee I A. No, nor even told him about it I told
Mr. Cross last week that there were two or three matters
I wished to bring before the committee) of inspection, and
this was one. —Q. Why did you have it removed I—Witnees
said in reply that he did not think it was worth mon
than ZIO or CII It &roes from the manner in which he
(witness) was left; he was left positively defenceless at
the London meeting. The plate was sent to his office by
young Kr. Lower. It was true that he telegraphed from
London after the meeting to have the_plate packed up,
and when be came home he found it. He telegraphed to
have it meat to his office because he had become guarantee
for the rent.
Mr. Peens : That would come out of the estate: It was
only the usual undertaking, as trustee that you gave.
Witness: Yet I grant all that.
The Registrar: You were in court when the trustee was
appointed, and you did not say you had got it. Depend
upon it you will have to be much more careful.
Witness said he did not know anyone who could he more
careful than he had been in connection with the estate.
Mr. Peewee : That is • matter of opiaion.
The Registrar: Don't you see you are in this Position.
The bankrupt, or his family, might turn ronnd and say
you were • Parker to these Thiess being done.
Witness: I am not sir I know noUting about it.
The Regietner :l do not say you do. I only say what
is in their power. You did not say a word to the trustee
about this before.
Witness: No ; you will bear of that
wilam. coatinidni, said be knew nothing of
urea ths pic-
tures being away. Hawke, the bailiff, was taken to
lb. by Oakley Lower. He was in possession five
weeks.
The exasniaidiaa was then adjourned.