The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-09-24 00:00:00

IVERPOOL COUNTY COURT

The first sitting of this Court took place at ten o'clock
yesterday, before Joseph Pollock, Esq., judge. The
following arrangement of the business of the court was
made : —Tuesday 23rd (yesterday), fraud summonses and
insolvencies• Wednesday 24th, 70 cases at 10, and 52
at 12 o'clock. Thursday 25th, 32 cases, in which the
amount claimed is £lO or upwards. Friday 26th. 73
cases at 10, and 47 at 12 o'clock. Monday 29th, three
interpleader cases at 10 o'clock. Tuesday 30th, 71 cases
at 10, and 49 at 12 o'clock. Wednesday, October Ist,
71 cases at 10, and 49 at 12 o'clock. Thursday 2nd, 70
cases at 10, and 30 at 12 o'clock. Friday 3rd, 87
adjourned cases at 10 o'clock.
FRAUD SUMMONSES.—A considerable number of fraud
summonses was heard and disposed of. None, however,
possessed any public interest. 18 order of committal
were made.

INSOLVENTS.

Henry K. Schiller, artist, Birkenhead, received a
final order unopposed.
George Abrahams was opposed by Mr. Simon. on
behalf of the detaining creditor, Isaac Abrahams. The
insolvent had kept a public house. Mr. Grocott sup-
ported the petition. The petition was for a discharge
from custody, and the opposition was grounded upon an
alleged fraudulent preference. His Honour held that
no fraudulent preference had been proved within the
meaning of the act. But he considered that the insol-
vent had acted improperly, in disposing of his property
before calling the meeting of his creditors, and especially
in disposing of it to one of his near relations. It
happened, however, that the only opposing creditor was a
man who lent moneyto the insolvent, knowing that he was
in difficulties. He was not one of those who did not
think that a man was entitled to lend money to a man
in difficulties at a higher rate of interest than to a solvent
man. A man who took the risk of loss, was entitled to
ask a higher rate of interest. He was very glad that a man
might now lend money at any rate of interest which
could be agreed upon, and that the usury laws were
abolished, because he considered them very foolish laws.
But when a man, who lent money, and obtained higher
interest upon the ground that the insolvent then was in
difficulties, came to oppose him when insolvent on the
same ground, the fact of the transaction having taken
place between them on that understanding, became pro-
perly a matter of consideration. As, however, the court
would not be doing its duty, if it did not mark its sense
of the impropriety of disposing of property before sum-
moning the creditors, he should direct that Mr. Abra-
hams be kept in prison for two months from the date of
his vesting order, which would make his imprisonment
expire on the 12th of next month.

Charles Dillman, late keeper of the Emigrants' Home,
Moorfields, applied for his discharge, and was supported
by Mr. Daggers. He was opposed on behalf of Mr.
Hugh Fitzsimons, the detaining creditor, by Mr.
Aspinall, instructed by Mr. Hare. The insolvent was
examined at great length in reference to his connection
with Mr. Sabel, who formerly kept the Emigrants'
Home, the mode in which his books were kept, and
certain references alleged to relate to Mr. Sabel's books.
Mr. Sabel was also examined, and admitted that he
had on frequent occasions paid taxes and tradesmen's
accounts for Dillman, hut stated that this was only when
the latter was very much pressed, and solicited him to
do so. The taxes which lie paid lie stated were paid to
retain his vote for the district. Mr. Serle, chief clerk
to Messrs. Sabel and Cortis, denied that the references
in insolvent's books had any connection with the books
of that firm. Mr. Aspinall contended that the connec-
tion between insolvent and Mr. Sabel was suspicious,
and that the latter meant to derive some benefit from the
establishment, incurring .no risk, but leaving Dillman
to obtain relief from his debts through that court. His
Honour did not think a case had been made out against
insolvent, but, under the cir,:ninstances, thought there
was sufficient suspicion to warrant an adjournment of
the petition until the 7th of October, in order that some
further explanation might be given regarding the books.
Henry Bolton, organ-builder, was supported by Mr.
Dawson, and opposed by Mr. Pemberton, on behalf of
Mr. Minnie. His Honour adjourned the granting of
the final order. to the first December court, withholding
protection, in the meantime, as regarded Mr. Minnie's
claim.

The court adjourned at half-past four o'clock. Some
insolvent cases remaining nndisposed of were adjourned
to Monday next, at twelve o'clock;