The Express.
London, England, 1867-03-22 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

(THIS DAY.)

EQUITY COURT.
(Before rice-Chancellor Sir W. Page Wood.)
IN RE THE IMPERIAL MERCANTILE CREDIT ANSOCIATION

KKYARTE CUNIII6y AND BARKER.
The applicants in this adjourned summons are stock-
brokers of the company, and the claim was made against
the official liquidator for a sum of ii,i4ool. odd, which they
say they paid in bard cash on behalf of the association.
The applicants' cue is that at the request of the manager
and other directors, they borrowed money on the Stock
Exchange on the security of shares in the association ; that
they thus not only became liable for calls due upon the
deposited shares, but also, when the crash of the com-
pany came in May last, had to lay the difference
between the depreciated shares and the sums advanced on
the security. To this the company alleged three defences
—first, that the money was borrowed for improper put,
poses, which are described in the affidavit of the official
liquidator ; secondly, that the borrowing of money at all
upon their own shares was beyond the company's power ;
and thirdly, that the brokers exceeded the authority given
to them.

Mr. W. M. James, Q.C., and Mr. Rristowe are for the
applicants, Messrs. lonides and Barker ; Mr. G. M. Cif-
ford, Q.C., and Mr. Westlake for the official liquidator.
The case was only puily opened when the court rose for
the vacation until the commencement of Easter Term.

COURT OF PRORATE AND DIVORCE.
(Before the Judge Ordinary.)
BAKER y. BAKER ANS) GRIGG.

In this ease the Judge Ordinary summed up, and the
jury retired to oon.ider their verdict.
_

'the jury found that Mrs. Baker had been guilty of
adultery with Mr. Grigg ; that Mr. Raker had been guilty
of cruelty to Mrs. Baker ; and further, that he had com-
mitted adultery with the servant woman Lowe.
11()K T. BOoT (CLERK).
The Queen's Advocate and Dr. Tristram were counsel
for the petitioner, and the respondent appeared in person.
In opening his case, Sir R. Phillimore said the
dent, the Rev. Richard Webster Boot, was a clerk riri Cy.
orders. Previous t, 1819 he was acquainted with Dr.
Smith, a magistrate in Cornwall, whom he consulted as
to the choice of a profession. At first he was in doubt
whether be should not be a dissenting minister, but
he ultimately decided on the Church of England.
After he had taken orders he proposed for the
doctor's daughter, Charlotte Philippe; and Dr.
Smith having given his consent, the wedding
took place on the 19th of January, 1659. At this time he
was perpetual curate of Pesnett, near Dudley. Dr. Smith
liberally supplied him with money, but his applications for
help became so frequent that his father-in-law felt com-
pelled to hold his band Then the family got in trouble ;
the furniture was sold, and the respondent took lodgings
for the petitioner at Eclgbaston. In Difi3 a girl named Eliza
Minton had mane into the house as nurse, and towards the
end of 1868, about a year after the birth of his third and
youngest child, the respondent suddenly disappeared with
her. After • time she returned to her mother at Dudley,
and it was suggested that in the interim the respondent
bad been travelling with her on the continent. For
this Mrs. Root prayed for a judicial separation. The
respondent denied the charge.
In support of the cease, a number of letters were real
which had been found in a cash-box after the respondent
had written to his wife, desiring her particularly not to
let anybody see its contents. They were from Eliza Brin-
tou. They began, "My very dear, dear Minister," or
"My own, my Ebby." They were artless com-
positions ; but they contained such expressions as
It is sweet to know and feel you love me. " I should
very much like to hear you preach." (Laughter.) " I
hope Mrs.lloot and her children are quite well"—(laughter)
—and the like. They were signed," I am your very loving,
very affectionately, and very truly, lass."
[The case had only just opened when our report left.]

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Comminsioner Holroyd.)
IN RE LF.WINE AN') MORRIS.

This case has been before the court forni;arly two and a
half years, and there have been frequent adjournments
owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the accounts. The
bankrupts, who were merchants in Love-lane, City, had
contracted liabilities of upwards of a quarter of a million,
by making large purchases and exporting goods in all three.
trons, principally to New York, to their own relatives
there ; and the result was represented to have been most
disastrous.

Mr. Abrahams appeared for the assignees.
Mr. Linklater, for creditors, asked for another adjourn-
ment, to enable the creditors to inspect the books of
Isaac Levine, of New York, brother of one of the bank-
rupts.
After hearing Mr. Bagley, for the bankrupts,
His Honour directed an adjournment for two months.

(Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.)
IN RE RICHARD L. LEWIS.

The bankrupt was described as late livery stable-keeper,
of Berkeley-mews, since fanner, of Henley. This was an
adjourned sitting for discharge. Debts, 1,398/. ; no assets.
Mr. Solomon opposed for the assignees.
His Honour, being informed that the case had been a
long time before the court, and had been before the Lords
Justicf, on the question of last examination, said that the
man had been in hot water long enough, and though there
was much in the case of which the court could not ap-
prove, he would grant the order.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Winslow.)
IN RI ALLJLY -lIENTFNCI OP IMPRISONNINT.

The bankrupt, a tailor, at Canterbury, sought his
charge from debts of about 3001.
_ . . .

lg. Aldridge appeared for the official assignee.
Mr. Munna opposed on behalf of Messrs. Roberts,
Lubbock, and Co., the bankers. They had sued thebank•
rupt on a bill for .171. ; he defended the action and put
various pleas on the record—amongst others, that the bill
had not been endorsed to the bankers, and that it had
been paid. The action was tried and a verdict given for
the plaintiffs, the costa amounting to 421.
His Honour said the case was a very aggravated one,
and though the bankrupt had already suffered six weeks
imprisonment he felt bound to commit him for two
months longer, on the ground of vexatious defence.

THE POLICE COURTS.
(THIS DAY.)

BOW-STREET.
UTTER STIALINC BY A MOIL

Wm. Porter, page to Mr. Potter, 25, Norfolk-street,
Strand, was brought up on remand charged with stealing
a letter, containing a cheque for U. Is., addressed to Mr.
S. R. T. Mayer. secretary to the London Free and Open
Church Association, whose offices are held at that house.
The prisoner, it appeared, had taken in this letter with
others delivered by post, and perceiving the cheek, which
was on coloured paper, through the thin substance of the
envelope, he kept that letter back. He wrote Mr. Mayer's
name on the back of the 'cheque, and presented it for
payment to the bankers, Messrs. Brookes and Co. Pay-
ment was refused, and a clerk sent to inquire of
Mr. Mayer if the endorsement was genuine. It was
at once perceived that it was the prisoner's hand-writing,
a fact which was satisfactorily established by making him
write the name on a slip of paper, and comparing the
two. He even then denied it, but on Mr. Mayer
promising that if he would confess all he should
be forgiven, he admitted that he stole the letter
and cheque and wrote the endorsement. He
would not acknowledge that be had committed any
previous act of dishonesty, and Mr. Mayer, being strongly
of opinion that he had, gave him in custody. It had
since been ascertained that the prisoner's father had left
his late residence, and his present address was not known.
Inquiry had also been made respecting a watch seen
in the prisoner's possession some weeks ago, when he
said it was given to him by his uncle. Thia turned
out not to be true. The uncle had no knowledge of the
watch. It was suggested that the prisoner had lately
formed an acquaintance with some men of indifferent
character. There was some uncertainty about his age, as
he had made several inconsistent statements, but it was
supposed that he was under 14.
He was committed for three years to the Industrial
School, Feltham.