The Express.
London, England, 1846-10-23 00:00:00

POLICE.-.v
ESTERDAT._

OUILDHALL.—THE KENTISH COAST RAILWAY. A
young gentleman named Stokes, clerk to a solicitor, ap-
peared before Sir Peter Laurie, to ask his advice under the
following circumstances. He stated that some time since
his father, who was now dead, purchased shares in the
Kentish Coast Railway Company to the amount of 1,200/.
Sir Peter Laurie asked if it was now in existence.—Mr.
Stokes replied that it was not. The shares were purchased
at 128.6 d. In all they were 610.—Sir Peter Laurie, after
looking over the prospectus: Why you have some very re-
spectable names. There is Mr. Daniclls, chairman of the
Blackwell Railway, Mr. Mangles, and other parties. Have
you applied to them ?—Applicant : I have written to several
parties, and here are some letters distinctly denying
on their part any connexion with the concern. He
had also been to Mr. Curling, solicitor, whose
name was on the prospectus, and he replied that he had
no interest in it, beyond being its solicitor.—Mr. Teague
(the chief clerk) observed that there had been several meet-
ings of the company some time since, and that a number of
parties had lost • great deal of money by the concern.—Sir
I'. Laurie asked if any of the deposit money had been re-
turned.—Applicant replied in the negative. The scrip
which he had, had been declared by the parties to whom he
had applied on the subject, to be forgeries, although the
secretary's name was to them. On the scrip being examined
the secretary's signature was to them all, but there was no
room for the directors' names to be affixed.—ln reply to a
question, applicant said that the company did not succeed
in obtaining their bill.—Sir P. Laurie observed that it was
his opinion that every provisional director ought to be made
liable. However, he should advise applicant either to go to
the Court of Bankruptcy, and inquire what steps ought to
be taken to make the company bankrupts, or to apply to
Mr. Buckman, of Moorgate-street, for his advice, as that
gentleman had made himself very active in such matters,
and was perfectly conversant with subjects of this kind.
THE LYNN, WISBEACH, AND PETERBOROUGH RAIL-
WAY COMPANY.—Mr. Stokes also applied for advice respect-
ing some shares in this company which had been purchased
for him under the following circumstances:—Some time
since his brother obtained a situation at a stockbroker's on
the Stock Exchange, where he became acquainted with
another clerk, named Smith, who induced him to obtain
from his parent 601., with which the latter was to buy 100
shares at 25 premium, and they were to take 60 each. Ap-
plicant understood that no more money would be wanting.
However, when the settling day came he found that more
money must be advanced, making a total of 2321. 10s. He
paid Smith the money and received his 60 shares. A short
time after some solicitors advertised for information on rail-
way subjects, and an inquiry was set on foot, when the 60
shares were traced to him, upon which it was discovered
that Smith instead of buying 100 shares at 25 premium had
bought only 60 at 2 premium, pocketing the difference. On
its being discovered they were both discharged from their
situations, and he, applicant, remained without kis money.—
Sir Peter Laurie said that he had better explain the whole
affair to Mr. Spackman.—Applicant thanked the magistrate,
and withdrew to comply with Sir P. Laurie's advice.
THE LAW OF SETTLEMENT.—A HARD CASE.—A poor
man named Richard Murlock, applied to Sir P. Laurie for
advice under the following circumstances. He said that he
had resided in the parish of St. Mary Stainning for nearly 7
years, and that about a year and nine months ago, he and
his wife, who was much afflicted with fits, were removed to
the pariah of St. Botolph, Aldersgate, in which he gained a
settlement by the payment of rent and taxes for some years.
From that period until recently he had received 2s. and a
41b loaf per week ; but about 14 days since, he was told by
Mr. Roberta, the relieving officer of the East London Union