The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-05 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

THIS DAY.

BOW-STREET.
J. Griffith, W. Thomas, and A. Mackenzie were charged
with stealing a quantity of books, the property of W.
Dugdale, publisher, of Itolywell-street, who was committed
on Wednesday last fur exposing for sale indecent books,
prints. &c.
M. G. Berkeley, solicitor, conducted the prosecution, and
several witnesses were called to establish the charge; but it
appeared that Griffith was a bookbinder, working for Mr.
Dugdale' and that he had given information to the Society
for the Suppression of Vies which led to the seizure on
Tuesday of Mr. Dugdale's property. Thomas and Macken-
zie were employed by the society in making the seizure, and
Griffith handed over to them the books in question, which
he had received from Mr. Dugdale to bind, and which had
subsequent to the seizure been taken back to Dugdalo's

$ The prisoner Griffith said it was all done for spite, because
he had informed against llugdale.
The magistrate, after commenting on the conduct of the
police officer for taking the prisoners into custody under the
circumstances without a warrant, said it was clear that no
case of felony had been made out, and he should, therefore,
discharge the prisoners.

THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY ; 011,
" CHARTIST CO-OPERATIVE LAND SOCIETY."

Yesterday being the day appointed for the elec-
tion of an official manager, under the Act of Parliament
14 and 15 Vic., passed during the last session, and entitled
" an Act to Dissolve the National Land Company, and to
Dispose of the Lands and Property belonging to it, and to
Wind-up the Uundertaking," an unusual number of per-
sons assembled at the chambers of the Master in Chancery,
Ilumphery, the Master charged by the Court of Chancery
with the winding-up of the company.
The meeting was appointed for 12 o'clock, at which
period there was a considerable crowd of the parties' coun-
sel, solicitors, and others present. The Master's offices
being found insufficient, an adjournment to Vice-Chancel-
lor Turner's Court, in Lincoln's-inn, took place, but as the
court-keeper could not be found, the lock of the door had
to be picked, and the various parties took their places.
The following gentlemen were proposed to fill the office
of official manager by the following learned counsel : Mr.
W. 11. Grey, government accountant, by Mr. Chichester ;
Mr. Quitter, by Mr. Reed; Mr. Turgriand, by Mr. Bag-
sheave ; Mr. Goodchap, by Mr. Roxburgh ; Mr. Ernest, by
Mr. Edda; Mr. Price, by Mr. J. M. James; Mr. Croys-
dill, by Mr. De Get; Mr. Fellows, by Mr. noggins ; Mr.
Norris, by Mr. Rogers; Mr. A. Hill, for Mr. Hutton; and
Mr. Swett, fur Mr. Ainger.
The proceedings attracted considerable attention, as being
rather novel in their nature, inasmuch as they actually con-
template the application of the principles of the Joint
Stock Companies Winding-up Act to the settlement of, and
investigation into, the failure of the affairs of a company
that had for its hybrid-like object the promotion of the
land allotment system in different districts of the empire on
the professed principles of joint stock enterprise, combined
with the dissemivation of seditious and treasonable prac-
tices, under the patronage of Mr. Feargus O'Connor and
his co-chartist propagandists.
The act under which the proceedings of yesterday formed
the initiatory step before the tribunal of a court of equity,
sets forth that in 1845 an association or society was pro-
jected and commenced under the title of the Chartist Co-
operative Land Society, for the purpose of purchasing land
on which to locate such of its members as might be selected
for that purpose, and the objects of the society, with the
assent of the subscribers, declared to be to purchase lands,
erect buildings, and allot them to its subscribers, upon such
terms as should enable them, by moderate industry, to live
in comparative comfort and independence. For some time
it was part of the plan of the society that it should be com-
posed of different divisions or branches, with delegates and
officers. On its being found that the undertaking could
not be carried into effect under the provisions of the acts
relating to friendly societies, the scheme and rules of the
undertaking and society were altered to bring them within
the Jointstock Companies Registration Act. On the first
occasion the concern was registered as "The Chartist Co-
operative Land Company "; in the second as "The Nona
Co-operative Land Company " ' and last, "The National
Land Company." Ultimately a deed of settlement was
prepared and executed for the purpose of defining the con-
stitution and rules of the company, and of obtaining com-
plete registration, bearing date Ist June, 1817, and ex-
pressed to be made between the several persons whose names
and seals were subscribed thereto, and Thos. Slingsby Dun-
combe, of Spring-gardens. in the county of Middlesex, Esq..
a trustee, on behalf of the National Land Company, and
which deed was executed by a large number of the sub-
scribers. In this deed the purpose of the company was de•
dared to be "the purchasing of land in various parts of the
United Kingdom, and erecting on such lands dwellings to
be allotted to members of the company, and also the raising
of a fund, out of which sums of money shall be paid to or
applied for the benefit of members being allottees of land,"
the capital of the company to be 130,0001., in 100,000 shares
of 11. Gs. Subsequently the capital was expressed to be
19.1,0001., in 150,000 of U. Gs. each, hut shares exceeding
that number have been subscribed for. The perpetual
yearly rent charge to be paid by the allottees of land was
reduced from 5 to 4 per cent. on the cost price of the allot-
meats and advances made. The act of parliament states
that the company has not been completely registered, and
her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench had decided that the
company was not established for any commercial purposes,
or for any purpose of profit, or fur the purpose of insuranoe or
assurance, within the meaning of the Joint-stock Companies
Registration Act. With the assent of the subscribers
Feargus O'Connor, now of Notting-hill-terrace, in the
county of Middlesex, Esquire was appointed, or assumed
to act as chairman of the board of directors and general
manager of the association, with general powers, at his own
discretion, to net in purchasing lands, making contracts,
undertaking and executing works, and contracting debts on
account of the undertaking. The said Feargue O'Connor
had entered into various contracts and incurred various lia-
bilities for or on behalf of the subscribers to the said un-
dertaking, iu endeavouring to procure the same to be
enrolled as a friendly society, or completely registered as a
joint-stock company, or otherwise legally established ; and
also in endeavouring to bring the same into operation, and
to carry out and effect the objects thereof, and in and about
the examination of titles and the purchase of lands on
account of the undertaking and the improvements thereof,
and the erection of buildings and in the sale of lands,
and in defending actions brought against him in
relation to the funds for cultivating, purchasing, and im-
proving various lands, and in making advances to allottees.
Portions of the purchased lands have been eold by Feargus
O'Connor for the benefit of the company, and have been
conveyed to tho respective purchasers. Various allotments
of the purchased lands, with the buildings and improve-
ments, have been made to different subscribers to the under-
taking by lot or otherwise, in accordance, or supposed ac-
cordance, with the rules of the company, and the allottees
have been put into possession, and certain of them have
alleged not only that tho allotments could not be properly
cultivated, so as to yield the means of discharging the rent
reserved on them, but also that tho allottees had sunk in
the cultivation thereof labour and capital exceeding the
advances so made to them and the value of their occuralem
and some of such allottees had received advances of may,
or of seed stock, tools, implements, or other goads ad a
the funds of the company, and some of such 'Unmade Add
been conveyed to the respective allottees. The me off me&
Bement further recites that the act of parliament midi
it MU composed, or intended to be composed, el dif-
ferent divisions or branches, may have been con-
trary to the provisions of an act passed in 39th
George 111., intituled "An act for the more effectual sup-
pression of societies established for seditious and treasonable
purposes, and for better preventing treasonable and sedi-
tious practices." Doubts were also entertained whether
the undertaking wee not illegal as a lottery, either by the
common law or wrier the several acts of parliament relat-
ing to unlawful lotteries and other games, and whether the
promoters of the undertaking or subscribers were not in
consequence liable to pains and penalties. It had been
contended that the declaim of the Court of Queen's Bench
was erroneous, and that if the cm y was within the
provisions of the Joint-stock Registration Act the promoters
may have incurred pains and penalties by taking subscrip-
tions for shares beyond the amount authorised by the act
and by doing acts prohibited. Doubts were also to be
entertained as to the power of Feargus O'Connor to
Nell and convey the lands to the respective purchasers.
The subscribers to the undertaking had commenced
actions against Feargus O'Connor for return of
their subscription. A committee of the Hoes of
Common. in 1848, reported that, considering the great
number of persons interested in the scheme, and the
bona fides with which it appeared to have been carried on,
powers might be granted to the parties concerned to
wind up the undertaking, and to relieve them from the
penalties to which they might have incautiously subjected
themselves. On these grounds, amongst others, it was
prayed that the company should be wound up.
the various learned counsel proposing the official ma-
nagers proposed them respectively, in speeches of consider-
able length ; and ultimately the Master adjourned his de-
cision until Tuesday fortnight.

BaNOOS AND CAMIAZVOII RALLWAT.—This im
portant breach of railway, for the ecevenience of the
southern and wester* part of Carnarvoashire, is fast pro-
gressing. The gro nd between Port Dinorwic and Cartier-
von has been cut, and it is confidently erpected that the line
will be open for traffic before Christmas. We are desirous
of giving honour to those to whom honour it due, and we
are bound to say that Carnarvonahire is under a debt of
gratitude to T. A. Smith, Esq., and his agents, for the
general and active part they have taken in the futherance
of this desirable speculation.—North Wales Chronicle.

Tar SUBMARINE TELEGRAPII.—Capt. Bullock and
the Fearless steam-vessel, of which he has the command,
have been placed under orders to mist, in about a fortnight
from this time, in laying the submarine telegraph from
Dover to the most eligible place of communication on the
coast of France. The Fearless being a vessel of only 78-
horse power and 168 tons burthen, and the weight of the
gutty perch* and lead covering of the electric wires being
upwards of 180 tons, the Lords of the Admiralty intend
placing another vessel at the disposal of the Electric Tele.
graph Company, to facilitate their laying
.down the line
acme the channel, and the chain of communication boa been
brought to such a state of perfection by the gutty parole
covering and outer leaden covering, that then Is •v
reason to believe ft will now be perfectly mo,"'"fal'

:ETING OF MIDDLESEX MAGISTRATES.

Yesterday a meeting of Middlesex magistrates was
held at the Sessions-house, on Clerkenwell-green, for the
despatch of county bultacse. The chairman of the court,
Mr. Powsia.t., presided ; and there were 3d magistrates
present.
The preceedings were opened by Mr. MACDIt, the de-
puty-clerk of the peace, reading over the minutes of the

three preceding courts.
Mr. Serjeant ADAMS called the attention of the court to
the alterations required at the Guildhall, Westminster, for
the reception and safe custody of prisoners, and for the
better accommodation of the public in the court ; and upon
his motion, seconded by Mr. Jostatt Wfiaseig. a committee
was appointed to order and carry out the requisite alte-
rations.
The report of the committee for accounts and general
purposes stated that the accounts of the coroners had bees
examined, and the committee recommended payment of
them to be made as follows :—Mr. Baker, for taking 92 in-
quisitions from the 28th June to the 21st .lug., 291 f. 81. Id.;
Mr. Bedford, for 41 inquests taken from June let to July
3114,1271. 14s. 4d., the coroner's fees in three cases being dis-
allowed on the ground that there was no necessity to hold
inquests in those cases ; end Mr. Wakley, for 160
inquests taken between the 23rd Juno to 18th August,
640/. Os. Bd., less the fees in two cases. With respect to a
number of Mr. Wakley's inquests, the payment for which
was deferred at the last court, for further information as to
the necessity of holding them, the committee recommended
that the fees for nine of them be paid, and five disallowed.
The committee reported that they had made inquiry into a
complaint made by a Miss Cailogan against Mr. George
Pownall, the district surveyor of Si. Giles-in-the-Fields and
St. George's, Bloomsbury, with respect to certain altera-
tions which were made at houses adjoining the one in which
she lived, in Great Russell-street, those houses belonging
to Sir 11. Mcux and Captain Smith, and after hearing Mr.
' Pownall's answer, the committee were quite satisfied that
the conduct complained of was not improper.
The report was received and adopted.