The Express.
London, England, 1867-07-25 00:00:00

THE REFORM LEAGUE AND THE ROYAL

PARKS BILL.

The ordinary meeting of the Council of the
Reform League, held lairt evening at the of in Adelpbi.
terrace, was numerously attended, it having become
known that the subjeet of the Royal Parke Bill would he
discussed. Mr. BRAM; presided.
Mr. Mexaniex proposed, and Colonel Deese, se.
corded, the following resolution, which was carried una-
nimously :—" That the cordial thanks of this meeting be
given to Mr. P. A. Taylor, Mr. J. 8. Mill, and Mr. Otway
for their firm and talented opposition to the obnoxious
Royal Parks Bill, and to all the other members who voted
against the second reading of that bill ; end this meeting in-
dignantly denounces the vulgar and insulting attack made
in the course of the discussion upon Mr. Taylor personally
and upon the electors of Leicester, who were honest and
manly enough to return to parliament such a true and
earuest friend of the people.
Mr. BRAUN, referring to the bill, said it was intended
to make unlawful what was now lawful, and was a gross
and'deliberate invasion of the all-important right of public
meeting. Dwelling upon the legal questions involved, be
ridiculed the legal opinion which founded its alleged
right to exclude the public from the parks on the assuntr.
tion that the authority of the crown over the parks was
the same as that of any proprietor of lands to prevent per.
sons from trespassing on them. The right of property
of the Queen in the metropolitan parks, supposing bet
to have any such right of property at all as
against the public, was wholly distinct from her right
of property iu and over the lands of Osborne or Reimers!.
In answer to the argument based on the ground that the
use by the public of the parks had been all along by the
favour and license of the crown, and that the license
could be revoked at any time, or be accompanied by any
conditions the crown might think proper to annex to the
license, he ventured to think that the presumption of
law was just the very reverse of that, and that were
even the royal parks, instead of being crown property, in
all respects in the position of private property, no pri-
vate proprietor, after the inhabitants of a neighbouring
district had been suffered by his predecessors for cen-
turies, or for • long series of years, to have the use and
enjoyment of certain lands at all reasonable hours in the
day, and had actually, for • great number of years, and
under the express or implied understanding of their
having such van and enjoyment, managed and maintained
the land at their own expense, could turn round upon
them and revoke or terminate or restrict such use; the
law would presume that his ancestors or predecessors bad
granted such use, and granted it too for • consideration.
(Hear, hear.) Moreover, se regarded Hyde-park, it was
actually sold in the days of the Commonwealth, and it was
not clear that the royal estate was at the preseld day in
the crown, and there were rights of way over it which
would alone render the closing of the gates against the
public in the day time illegal.
The council then considered the measures to be adopted
to defeat the Royal Parke Bill. After an animated discus-
-61011, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
" That the secretary write to Lord Derby, to request
.hu
lordship to receive • deputation from this league on Friday
next, or such other day and at such other time, :is to his
lordship may be convenient, on the subject of the Royal
Parks Bill."

NATIONAL REFORM UNION.—WO are informed
that the executive of the National Reform rnion bees
determined to hold a large conference in 111.thohesttr
iw-
mediately after the Reform Bill has passed the House of
Lords, and also a grand banquet during the autumn,
which the leading liberals of both Houses of Parliament
will be invited to attend.

THE LIMITED LIABILITY LAW.—A deputation,
consisting of the Hon. L Agar-Ellis, M.P., Sir D. Gooch,
M.P., Messrs. Finlay, Graves, M.P., Waring. M.P.,
Whitworth, M.P., and Meson. Newmarch, Drake, Beaton,
Chadwick, and other', waited on Mr. Cave, the Vice-Pre
sident of the Board of Trade, on Tuesday, to urge him to
proceed with the bill for amending the acts relating to
limited liability, in accordance with the report of the com-
mittee and the recommendation to that effect which it

contained, the special points being the conferring on com-
panies, in certain cases, and under certain restrictions for
the protection of creditors, power to reduce their capital,
and also power to divide thew shares into shares of a lower
denomination than that Axed by their original articles d
association. The deputation stated that they represented
companies whose nominal share capital exceeded
20,000,0001. Mr. Cave said that the government fully re•
cognised the importance of giving effect to the recommen•
dations of the committee, and promised that the bill for
that purpose, which had been prepared, should be in the
hands of members at latest on Friday, and that be would
move the moored reading on the first day he could find
vacant.

BELGIAN VOLUNTEERS AT CHATSWORTH. —la
accordance with arrangements made previous to their
arrival in Derbyshire, the Belgians paid a visit on Tuesday
to Haddon-hall and Chatsworth, at which latter OW
they were, in the unavoidable absence of the Dulcs of
Devonghire, received by his grace's steward, Mr. eating.
ham. The Belgians left Derby for Boesky in a special
train, accompanied by upwards of 1,000 excursionists, and
on their arrival were met by a crowd of persons who bere.as
at all other places along the route, accorded thew a
moat enthusiastic welcome. Carriages were provided
for the visitors, and after a pleasant drive through awns
of the prettiest scenery in Derbyshire, Haddon-hall and
Chatsworth were reached. An hour sufficed for the inspeo•
tion of the ruins at Haddon, but a much longer stay was
made at Chatsworth, every part of the splendid 1:11101110a
being open to the visitors by. the express command
of the noble owner. Later in the day the guests
were entertained at a dinner in which every de•
limey of the season and wines of the choicest vintage
were liberally dispensed, and, after the long lido and the
ramble through the grounds, duly appreciated. Mr. Cot•
tiogham presided, and toasts of the customary interne,
tional character were proposed and honoured. Major
Stoats proposed the health of the host, the Duke of Devon-
shire, the guests rising and " Hip, hip, hip, hurrahing "
with much vigour. After dinner thellelgams drove cd
to Beesley, and were conveyed back to Derby by, specifl
train. At night a grand ball and nipper given in their
honour by the town of Derby was held in the Assembly
Rooms, which were beautifully decorated for the ocoisioe.
Most of the visitors returned bomc yesterday via London
and Dover, but a few were prevailed upon to stay over
Saturday in order to take part in the review of the midland
counties volunteers, which is fined to take place on that
day. The exceedingly well-prepared programme of the
reception was married out without a 'tingle hitch or flaw,
and the whole proceedings reflect much credit upon Derby,
and upon Mr. Pratt, Mr. Bemrooe, and the other members
of the committee upon whom the management of the en-
tertainment devolved.

II

LAW INTELLIGENC&
(THIS DAY.)

EQUITY COURT.
(Before Vice-Chancellor Sir W. Pap Wood.)

TICHBORNE r. TICHROILIC.—TICHBORNE T.
This motion was mentioned again to-day. The plaintiff,
t:.‘itning to be Sir Roger Tichborne, is desirous that the
re...examination of witnesses in the cause should take
1.: ee in open court ; the defendants prefer that it should
Indere an e,aminer. After some discussion the motion
s.e to stand over, to enable the parties to agree
eivn the terms of an issue to be tried at law.
The Solicitor• General (Mr. Selwyn, Q.C.), Mr. G. M.
clfArd. Q.C.. and Mr. Locock Webb appeared fur the
pLiutitf ; Mr. W. M. James, Q.C., Mr. Drum, Q.C., Mr.
lily. Q.V.. and Mr. Cracknall for the defendants.
Into lu..N SIAISISE INSURANCE COMPART (LIMITED)

• - .
r. BRIGHT.
Mr, W. 31. .fames, Q.C., and Mr. North moved on be.
of the defendants, Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co.,
,tipowners, of Liverpool, that they might be at liberty to
execution on a judgment given by the plaintiffs, the
'X'.l,ion Marine Insurance Company, in an action brought
tr the shipowners fur insurance money on a marine
Messes. Gibbs, Bright, and Company had
istted with the company a policy of 1,200/. on
ship Netherby, an emigrant vessel, which on her
,•rage from London to Brisbane struck on a rock and was
siecked, off King's Island, in Bass's Straits, on the 14th
..!July, 1866, and totally List. In November, 1866, the
,mpany came to a resolution to wind up voluntarily, and
idAtom were appointed. After the owners had made
their el em. which the company acknowledged on the 11th
,f January, 1a67, they received a letter from Mr. Walcott,
if the fioverninent Emigration Board, stating that the
Joan claimed, under the provisions of the Passengers'
Acts, PG:. and 1863, a debt of 8291. 13s. 7d. on account
Il if calkbel incurred by the governor of Victoria in renal.
and maintaining the wrecked passengers until they
sere forwarded to their destination in Queensland, as the
~mmiseioners had been directed by the Secretary of State
• take the necessary steps for recovering this debt from
:::e owners of the Netherby. Mesas. Gibbs, Bright, and
co., nevertheless commenced their action in February,lB67.
rLereupon the company and the liquidators filed the bill
,irst Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co. and Mr. Walcott,
decree directing them to interplead ; and on the 23rd
,! March, in the vacation, Vice• Chancellor Stuart, at his
•,,e, made an (eller that the plaintiff should give judgment
,the action as the court should direct, the defendants
,sdertaking not to issue execution till further order, and
t-e defendant Walcott undertaking by his counsel to take
further proceedings till further order. The defendants
dined tobe entitled to recover their money notwith-
priding this order.
Mr. Kay, Q.C., and Mr. Fischer maintained that the
Lifendants ought to interplead.
Ur• Ferrer, appeared for Mr. Walcott.
...

The Vice-Chancellor said that no doubt a mistake had
n made. He could not interfere with Messrs. Gibbs,
kight, and Co. recovering their debt. The persons who
:1.1 made a claim on behalf of the mown should have
town that they had the consent of the crown to apply.
711 e commissioners should have informed the proper officer
,f the crown's claim —namely, the Attorney-General. His
Honour felt no doubt that there might be an interpleader
4ainst the crown, but the crown in fact was not present,
lad Mr. Walcott, as commissioner? had no claim. All that
sas to be done in the present motion was to give leave to
the parties to take proceedings in the usual way ; the de.
f,D,Lints to have their oasts, and the other costs tobecosta
in the muse.

COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE.
(Peon the Judge Ordinary.)
JANES AND ANOTHER V. FOSTER AISD OTHERS.
This testamentary case wet resumed this morning,when
tvidence was given in support of the revocation. It was
maintained that though the testator was suffering from
paslysb, and aphasia, or speechlessness, he retained the
poiect possession of his faculties, and that he had unmis-
tavably indicated his desire that his will should be
tit.troyol.
(The case was proceeding when we went to preu.l

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Goa'burn.)
IN RE ABRAHAM HARRIS.
The bankrupt was a merchant, of 9, Bow-lane, trading
Lc re under the style of Hams, Criner, and Co. His debts
or between 4,0001. and 5,0001., and there are no assets.
This wrs an application for release from custody.
Mr. W. H. Roberta opposed on behalf of the imaignese,
mil Mr. Brough also opposed for creditors. Mr. Reed
su
itrietwls a fourth bankruptcy, and the bankrupt had
Ilse passed once through the insolvent court. He had
been arrested at the suit of a creditor, and was adjudicated
tenkrupt whilst in custody by one of the registrars. It
I=that ho had obtained credit in the name of
1, c
Criner, and Co., it being alleged by the detaining
cantors that Criner was a mere myth, but who, accord-
se to the bankrupt's statement was a gentleman residing
Ceirmasy.
The bankrupt was examined in reference to his previous
Idlure, and the court was asked not to release him until
ee had filed goods, cash, and deficiency accounts, showing
what be bad been doing since his last bankruptcy.
After hearing Mr. Reed for the bankrupt,
His Honour said that he certainly could not interfere in
Smut of a bankrupt who came before the court under the
circumstances mentioned. The application would be din
:weed, with liberty to the bankrupt to renew it within a
ersonable time after filing the explanatory accounts re-
*Ws