The Express.
London, England, 1867-08-09 00:00:00

LAW INTFILLIGENCri.

(THIS DAY.)

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner oOulbUrn.)
IN RE JOHN KING.
The bankrupt was a licensed victualler in Crirpin.street,
Spitalfields. He was opposed in his application for an
order of discharge by Mr. It. Griffiths, on behalf of a cre-
ditor named Simons, upon the ground of contracting debts
without reasonable eapectation of payment. The debts
secured and unsecured are about 2,2301. ; and the assets
are of small amount.

Mr. Chidley, for the assignees, offered no opposition.
Upon examination of the bankrupt, it appeared that he
had formerly carried on business at the Swan Inn, Rom-
ford, and he afterwards took the Grapes public-house, in
Crispin•street, Spitslfields. About two years since he
executed a deed of arrangement, under which he surren-
dered 2,000 f. worth of property to his creditors. When
he took the Grapes public-house he expected to receive
several hundred pounds from Mr. Attenborough, of the
Strand, but he was disappointed in his expectations. He
costracted Mr. Simons' debt in September, 1866, and in
November, 1866, he presented his petition.
Mr. Simons was also examined and said that he was a
money-lender, but that at the time the bankrupt con-
tracted his debt he was an aooountaat.
His Honour remarked that the opposing creditor did not
appear to occupy a position which called for any eulogium.
(A laugh.)
Mr. Simons said that after his Honour's observation he
most decline to proceed with his evidence, and would
withdraw from his opposition.
His Honour then suspended the order of discharge for
six months from the time the bankrupt passed his exami-
nation in May last, upon the ground that he had con.
tracted Mr. Simons' debt without reasonable expectations
of payment.
l'rotoction was granted.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.
(THIS DAY.)

(Before Mr. Serjeant Dowling.)
VIZ ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OP LONDON AND ITS PIGZONR.
. .

Joke Ellis, 48, a respectable-looking man, was indicted
on a charge of stealing four pigeons, the property of the
Royal Zoological Society of London, his masters.
Mr. Sleigh appftred for the society; and Mr. F. H.
Lewis for the defence.

Mr. Sleigh said—ln this case, my lord, I wish to state a
few facts to the court, and then make a suggestion, which
I hope will meet with your concurrence. The prisoner has
been employed by the Royal Zoological Society for the last
'2'2 years, and in July it was found that he had taken four
pigeons from amongst those which are kept for the pur-
pose of feeding certain animals on, and they were found
at his home. When questioned by Dr. Slater, the hon.
secretary, he said he had taken them home to breed from.
Looking at the prisoners's length of service, that he is a
married man, and has lost his situation, the prosecutors do
not wish to inflict any further punishment on him, and
therefore I am instructed to apply to you to allow them to
withdraw from the prosecution.
Mr. Lewis, on the part of the prisoner, thanked the pro-
secutors for the course they now pursued, but added, that
there was no intention to steal although he had been guilty
of a great irregularity.
The judge concurred with the ingestion, and no evi-
dence being offered by the prosecution, a verdict of Not
Guilty was returned, and the prisoner at once discharged.