The Express.
London, England, 1867-09-17 00:00:00

THE ALLEGED MURDER AT CLAPHAM.

INQUEST.—(THIS DAY.)
This morning Mr. Carter, the coroner for the
eastern division of the county of Surrey, resumed se in.
quiry relative to the death of Benjamin Groves, aged 43,
who, it is alleged, was murdered by Patrick Morgan, in
Hand's-court, Dorset-street, Clapbam-road, on Sunday
week. The inquest was adjourned on the last occasion to
afford an opportunity for the pproduction of fresh evidence.
Charles Syred, poli le, said that while on duty
near the scene of the alleged murder he heard of the occur-
rence, and proceeded to the house of Patrick Morgan.
He forced the door and arrested Mervin, who, on being
told of the charge against him, said, ' He (the deceased)
must prove it." A penknife which lay on the table was
pointed out to Blackman, another constable, who amen.
gamedp witness. The accused, referring to the knife, said,
That's not " (not concluding the sentence). A
table knife was subsequently found in a drawer of the
table with blood on it, and an apron besmeared with
bleed was also found.

Wm. Henry Smith, a gas fitter, deposed that be was
passing Hand's-court at a quarter to one on the morning
of Sunday week, when he heard a quarrel. He entered
the court, and saw a knife in Morgan's band.
Mary Riley, the wife of a labourer residing in Hand's.
court, was next examined. She stated that on the morn.
ing of the occurrence she heard Morgan calling out
Mary, Ma." She asked him why he asked for her, and
he replied, "I want to stab you." I gave him a slap in the
face and said, " You fool, you wouldn't hurt me." My
brother came up, and as I was turning about to push him
away I saw Groves at my shoulder. I did not
see a knife or any other weapon in Morgan's
band. He was very drunk. I saw nothing thrown at
Morgan. Groves pushed we out of the way, and I said,
" Mr. Groves, you are not wanted," but he went into
Morgsn's premises.
The witness, in answer to a juror, said she was not aware
that Morgan's neighbours were in the habit of annoying
him by throwing stones at his door.
The coroner having read over the evidence given at both
inquiries requested the jury to return their verdict.
A juror said that as it had been proved that the de.
ceased and the accused were on the best terms up to the
time of the death of the former, he thought the offence
was out of the categoryof murder committed with
" malice aforethought,"
The room was then cleared, and after a long deliberation
the jury returned a verdict of "Manslaughter against
Patrick Morgan."

LONDON BANK OP MEXICO AND SOUTH
AMERICA.-(LIMITED.)-(THIS DAY.)

An extraordinary general meeting of the share.
holders was held at noon at the London Tavern, Mr.
F. W. Nassau, M.P., in the chair.
The following report and balance-sheet were presented;
" fhe directors beg to submit to the shareholders the
accompanying statement of accounts and balance-sheet
for the six months ending the 30th June last. The direc.
tors much regret that on the present occasion they are not
justified in declaring an interim dividend, but they are con.
rimed that by retaining theprofits to meet theoontingencies
on doubtful accounta,they will strengthen the position of
the bank. Should the profits earned eontinue on the pre.
sent scale, the director, look forward to a more satisfac-
tory statement of accounts at the next meeting. The
branch in Mexico has undergone an unprecedented period
of trial, but has come well out of the ordeal
under the able administration of Mr. Newbold,
who expresses himself very hopefully as to the future.
The branch at Lima, under Mr. Ford's management, is
progressing satisfactory. At Bogota matters have not
improved since the last report. The reserve fund has
been transferred to the ' provision for bad and doubtful
debts account,' the amount of said provision now being
44,...,22/. 9s. 7d., as shown in the general balance sheet, and
which the directors hope will be sufficient for all coatis'.
genies.
"General balance sheet for half-year ending 30th June,
1867. Dr.—Capital and liabilities.—To capital : Amount
authorised, in 20000 shares of 501. each, with power to
increase, 1,000,0001.; to shares issued: 20,000 shares of
501. each, on which 201. per share has been called,
400,0001. ; less calls in arrear, 4,852/.10a., leaving 395,1471.
10s. • to liabilities and current accounts, 150,174/. 115.641.;
to bills payable and other liabilities, 79,733/. Os. ;
notes issued at Lima, Mexico, and Bogota, 68,8961. 3s. 2/1.;
making 2'J8,8051. 15a. ld. ; to rebate of interest on bills
current, 8,4471. 3s. 10d. ; to bad and doubtful account—
balance of, 31st Dec., 1866, 3,6221. 18a. 41. ,• to reserve
fund, now transferred 21,0001. ; to balance of profit and
J lees account, to 30th une, 1867, now transferred, 19,002/.
lls. 3d. ; making 44,5=/. 9s. 7d. ; total, 746,9221. 18s. 6d.
Cr.—Property and assets.—By cash at bankers and at
branches, 77,3821. 13s. 7d. ; by investment in India govern.
meat debentures, 20,967/. 34. 10d. ; by bills receivable,
275,2171. 7a. sd. ; by past due bills, 24,02 W. Os. ld. ; by
balances due on current accounts, loans, Ac., 337,184/. 17s.
3d. ; by expenditure on bank premises, office furniture,
&a 6,1501. 16a. 4d. ;by preliminary expenses (balance),
6,0001; • total, 746,9221. 18e. 6d.

Priofit and lois account for half-year ending June
1867:—T0 general charges in London, and branches at
Mexico, Lima, Callao, and Bogota, including allowances
for depreciation on bank property, 12,428/. lls. 6d. ; to
rebate of interest on bills current, 8,447/. 3s. 10d.; to
balance, so per general balance-sheet, 19,8991. lls. 3d. ;
total, 40,7751. tia. 7d. By balance of undivided profits to
31st December, 1866, 3,4141. 15s. 7d. ; by gross profits
during thelhalf-year ending 30th June, 18e7, 37,3601. Ila ;
total, 40,775/. 8. 7d.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report
and accounts, said the board felt much disappointed at not
being able to present a better statement, but that was not
the fault of the directors. Mexico was now just reco-
vering from a severe trial. It had just emerged from a
severe civil war; shot and shell had raged around about
the bank itself, and no other establishment of the same
kind bad been able to stand. The conduct of the English
manager in the capital under that state of things was de-
serving of the highest praise. He then read a letter from
the manager in which he said that if things remained quiet
he hoped to be able to send a good account at the end of
the current six months ; adding that he hoped, as soon as
the president had arrived and a government had been
formed, to obtain some privileges for the bank.
A SHAREHOLDICR—What is the date of that letter'

The CHAIRMAN—The 10th of July. Ile then alluded to
the sending out of Mr. Bowden a few months ago, and said
that his conduct having given dissatisfaction he was re-
called. The board bad hoped that Mr. Bowden', state-
ments were correct, but Mr. Dawson had auxe
investigated the matter fully, and the board did not feel
)uati6ed in recommending them. To meet lossee the Mani
had taken nearly the whole of the reserve fund, which was
21,000/. He then entered into an elaborate statement
of the amounts, showing the capital of the CORP
piny to be virtually intact, and added that under
the circumstances it. wog moot eatraerlinery that the
shares should be so much depreeiateJ. Taking the bulk
premises into account, there was, he remarked, a small
surplus after taking into account all the company's capital
and liabilities.

Mr. W. A. Jovss, a director, seconded the motion, and
congratulated the meeting that it had now ascertained
the real position of the company, and might from that
day forward look for a better state of things.
hfr. Max.,: wished to know whether the 44,000'.
now written off was sufficient to meet all losses
and contingencies. Those who had had experience of
public companies must be aware that the non-payment of
• dividend was premonitory of something worse ; and,
though he had no apprehension in that case, he would he
glad to have some further assurance. He then advocated
a reduction of the liability on the shares to from .7d. to it).
per share.
Mr. WRIGHT. after giving credit to the directors for st
once writing off bad and doubtful debts, said be believed
' that the heavy liability caused the low price of the shims.
The CHAILMAN, in reply, said the directors could not use
a stronger word than " Lope" in speaking of the liabilities,
being de7endent on the accounts given by others; hot
from the knowledge they possessed they believed that a
sufficient sum had been laid aside, that all the rubbish had
been got rid of, and that the company was now on safe
ground. (Hear, hear.) They did not consider the 21.0un1.
set down under the head of " past due bills " in jeopardy.
Upon the amount of liability on the shares there was a
full discussion at the last meeting. The board dewed
to apply the new act to that company ; but, as s*e
pointed out by the President of the Board of Trade,
tt was impossible to do so where the engagements
were very wide-spread. They fully sympathised,
however, with the shareholders on the subject.
but it was only by dissolving the company **ll
forming a new one that that object could be secured. It was
contemplated to take that course, and he concurred in ages.
gestion that the shares should bo 274 each. Two special
meetings would have to be convened for that put,
pose. He added that the present government havin: got
rid of some of the wont intriguers, he hom•.l there v.. *
better state of things in store for Mexico. (Hear, hear.)
The report was then adopted.
On the motion of Mr. MANN, a resolution pniuestineth•
board to take the requisite steps for immediately red mitt*
the liability on the shares was adopted, the .1 ~,,, int
named in the resolution being 2'J., leaving a forth,/
liability of N., the chairman observing that the Pm""
amount would have to be considered at • special mem. PC.
The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the
chairman.

A correspondent of the Haute Adrertior, who
dates from Shirley, about two miles from Southampton.
states that be noticed the congregating of swallows, the
third week in August last, as if preparing to migrat... mad
now not one is to be seen. He attributes their early de
parture either to symptoms of an early winter or to the
rain floods which must almost have drowned then
wherever they roosted. He says th►t there are a few
martins remaining. He heard a nettle creeper, and mw a
nighting►le on the 12th, but he hu not heard the black•
bird and thrush since the 24th of June ; whitethroes have
been more numerous than usual this summer, and robins
are now in full song and very plentiful.