The Express.
London, England, 1857-08-24 00:00:00

THE SURREY GARDENS COMPANY.

If the statements made at a meeting of the share-
holders of the Surrey Gardens Company on Friday, and at
the Court of Bankruptcy yesterday (Saturday) are true,
this cuum.iny way bo placed side by side with the
Royal British Bank, fee. According to the statement
of the shareholders made at the meeting on Friday,
it would wpm that one of the original promoters
of the company held a mortgage to • very considerable
amount on the Surrey Gardena, then called the Surrey
Zoological Gerdes', and that the keen of the land
upon which the mortgage wee held bad only fourteen years
to run, so that it would be impassible for him to realise
the amount advanced. It was, therefore, determined to
get up a compeuy, with • capital of 40,0001., to erect
a splendid building ea the ground, and then, at all events,
the mortgagee would be sate. This woe effected ; pma-
pectuses were hued; the ahem were rapidly taken up, and
some 32,0001. were paid up. At this point one or two of
the directors retired. This circumstance might, at any
tither time, have excited suepicion, but the picture promoted
to the shareholders ass so glowing that not murk attention
wejzid to anything else. The building was completed
ini may. The inauguration went on admirably, and
the shareholders were in eatitaiee. The half-yearly meeting
was held. The moat nattering financial statement. were mado
—a dividend of ten per cent. per annum was declared, End the
liabilities declared to bu no more than the current expenses.
During the present season unpleasant rumours were afloat
about persons not being paid, and about post-dated checks
having been freely offered, and shareholders began to be un-
easy. At length, one tine morning, the company appeared in
the Oaulte. Then, and not till then, did the truth comfiest.
It is now stated that, in the tleot instance, 14,0001. was
paid to somebody for the ground, but who that somebody
was has not yet appeared. It is supposed that Mr. Tyler
had received it for his interest in the gardens, but the con-
trary is now alleged to be the came. Moreover, it is stated
that the building is not even now paid for, and that the
builder is • creditor for 7,0001. The architect, it is averred,
has not had • singlesapasce, and the artist is in • similar
position. Meas. Jallien says be is 6,0001. out of pocket,
that he holds and has paid upon 2,0001. worth of shame, that
he bas received we salary whatever; end that he has
advanced to his orcheara 2,0001., making up the total slams
given. lie adds that a bill for 5001. at two months was
given him, which has been dishonoured, and upon which he
Is Wag sued ; end that a peat dated cheque for Me, which
helm she bad, bee likewise been refused, there being "no
ellecte." The debts and habilities of the company are esti-
mated et 36,0001. ; and the whole of the capital has gone—
where will have to be inquired into. At the meeting in
qeserita, when them' statements were made, very stronglan-
rage was Med. The Royal British Bank adair was de-
scribed am bang a feel to this; end it was said that the
takings at the dome were regularly carried off every night.
limo, the fact will hare to be investigated belie the Bank-
ruptcy Court,-01morwr, of yesterday.