The Express.
London, England, 1864-01-14 00:00:00

VENTILATION OT THE COURT.

ID addition to the many ineonvenienoes inseparable from
• court so inadequate and ill.oonetructed as this is, a fresh
one has been inflicted upon those whose duty it is to be in
attendance. A desire for good ventilation has caused doors
sad windows to be kept open in every place where wind
con be let in. The ooaeequsees is that nearly everybody,
except the learned judge, bas at least one strung draught
bearing upon him ; and personal experience enables us to
say that some persons are so unfortunately placed as to
be in the course of several distinct currents of air. Of
under these circumstances, complaints are numerous,
and Bolds are rapidly multiplying.

001:TRT OF BANKRUPTCY.—JAs. 13.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Goallxims.)
IN RI FRANCIS EDWARD TOCCLIA.
. . .

The benkriiit was a bill-broker of 75, Old Breed-etrest.
This was the adjoureed sitting for discharge. The liabilities
are shied at 4,A51.. of which security is bold for about
2,2001. The bad debts are returned at upwards of 5,000/.
Mr. E. Reed, for the similes*, did not oppose.
Mr. Graham, the official assignee, in answer to the court,
slated that lb's, were rests of about 150!.

Mr. Sargood sumorted.
Mr. Doy opposed for Meows. Shoolbrod and Co. end other
orechtors, who charged the bankrupt with offences under
the 221 et see.

It appearing that the cue was likely to occupy all day,
astdjoareme!it wee ordered.
_ _

Mr. &mood —Then is one matter which bad, perhaps,
better be settled before we adjourn. (To the banknipti—You
ban heard that it is alleged against you, on behalf of the
creditors, that von have committed acts amounting to a
miademeanonr. Are you willing that the court shall try this
question'
Bankrupt.—Yee, certainly.
Sargood—Thea, on his behalf, I shell sionstiat to his
heirs( tried by this court, if you will direct that, and ap-
point a day for the purpose. I shall also ask you to direct,
in the terms of the act, that the crediton do deliver to the
baokrupt in writing • clear statement of the charges
against him. Upon this point it seems to me that the
terms of the act are imperative. This "clear statement"
is the quasi indictment. The bankrupt, knowing the pre-
cise charge against him, will be able to meet it.
Mr. Day—l have no objection to give such a statement.
The Commissioner—lt is eke, that I must either try this
case myself, or, if the bankrupt requires it, I am to nun-
mos a jar; for the purpose, though it is not very clearly
pointed out by what machinery lam to summon a jury.
I should certainly prefer to hays the moistest* of • jury.
Mr. Sarod was not prepared to gate at that moment
whether the bankrupt would require to be tried by a
*Y.
Mr. Day said it was not compulsory on the court to try
the osa ; it might send it before one of the ordinary
criminal courts._

The Commissioner—But it is also competent to the bank-
rupt to say—" I don't want to go to the Old Bailey, to bold
up my hand at a criminal bar. I had rather be tried by this
court, either with or without a jury." I think it is a very
beneficial provision of the new art to require • clear state-
meat of the charge in writing. I shall direct this to be
dorm and a day appointed for bearing the charge; and if in
the meantime the bankrupt thinks fit to require • jury, we
must decide bow that jury is to be summoned. In pro►id-
tug fora clear statement of the charge to be made, I think
the set meant to avoid the niceties and complexities of an
indictment with its various counts ; and I hope we shall
get rid of all those legal quibbles and conundrums which
abound in the criminal courts.

Mr. Sagood aid it might be well for the court to know
that the coarse of impanebiog • jury bad been taken by Mr.
Commissioner Hill at BriatoL

Has Honour rid there was no one oo whose opinion he
would sooner soh

Mr. Sargood said it appeared to be the general feeling in
the mercantile world that whatever offences commercial
men were chargeable with here, and whatever responsibi-
lities might attach to them, those charged should be investi.
gated in that court, and not at the Cantnil Crinuuel Court.
An adjournment visa then onlered.