The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-11 00:00:00

Mr. Parry—l am quite sure you will see how proper
it is that I should make this statement at once. Ther e
has been an error in respect to the hour appointed for the
hearing of the matter, because it appears that the in-
quiry has been gone into--how, in the absence of Mr.
Wardroper, I cannot understand—and that certain
statements have been made In reference to him. I sin-
cerely hope that either you or Alderman Wilson will
appoint some other time, when either Mr. Wardroper,
or when lon his behalf can attend, having the oppor-
tunity previously of seeing these statements, because I
am entirely at a loss how to deal with the matter. I
hope it would not be considered incorrect if I appealed
to the gentlemen who report for the public papers to
withhold those statements until my client has seen and
met them. As regards the statements made on a for-
mer occasion, I am fully instructed to explain every-
thing in reference to this transaction, and my instruc-
tions are so full and so complete that I should not have
the slightest objection that Alderman Wilson should
examine the books and everything else connected
with it, and ascertain all the facts of the case, when
I am quite certain, if my instructions do not deceive
me (and I do not think they do ; nay, I am sure
they do not), that Alderman Wilson will come
to the conclusion that whatever might be the want of
foresight or commercial knowledge on the part of my
client, this was an enterprise entered into with perfect
good faith and with the full intention of carrying out its
objects. _ _ _

Alderman Wire—Alderman Wilson said that he would
be here on Saturday, in case there was anything to be
stated or done in this matter.

Sir R. W. Carden—lf any difficulty has arisen at all,
it is to be attributed solely to Mr. Wardroper's absence.
Ott Saturday last he said, as I believe, that be would be
here at twelve o'clock to-day, to answer any charge that
might be made against him.
Mr. Parry—My brief is indorsed—" To attend at the
Mansion-house on the 10th inst. at two o'clock."
Sir R. W. Carden—Mr. Wardroper said he would be
here at twelve o'clock t i-clay to answer any charge, and
to give any information th a he possibly could to the
police. At half-past one Mr. Aldridge made a state-
ment, but if there is any difficulty it has resulted entirely
from the absence of Mr. Wardroper.
Mr. Parry—l can well understand that. It is one of
the mosL extraordinary things I ever heard 41 to take
evidence against a man in his absence. If a charge had
been made against him and he did not appear you had
power to issue your warrant. That, I apprehend, was
the course of 14w to be adopted ; but here is a ease in
which a gentleman is brought before you on no charge.
Some error arises as to the hour of the day on which he
was voluntarily to attend ; in his absence witnesses are
examined, and statements made, not one word of which
I know. I will satisfy you, beyond all doubt, as to the
good faith, honour, and character of the enterprise. The
ex parte statement of a person named Aldridge was pub-
lished. Ido not think you would sanction this court
being made the means of private slander ; you would not
allow a parcel of persons to speak abNut the private
character or failings of a man in his absence. If I come
here on behalf of this gentleman en Saturday at twelve
o'clock will you guarantee that I shall be heard before
Mr. Alderman Wilson ?

Alderman Wire—There will be no difficulty in that.
Mr. Parry—l hope that the reporter may not think tee
impertinent in asking him to furnish Mr. Wardroper with a
copy of his notes of the statements made here to-day,
because it would be a terrible thing if, without any
charge being made, these statements were all gone into.
Alderman Wire—The better way will be fur you to
be here at the specified time.
Mr. Parry—I will, as far as I can pledge myself, be
here by 12 o'clock on Saturday. In the meantime I
shall see Mr. Wardroper, and perhaps be enabled to
ascertain what really has been said this rimming. You
had no more right to call„Mr. Wardroper here than you
had to call me here.

Sir R. W. Carden—There was quite sufficient prima
facie evidence to warrant an inquiry into the conduct of
Mr. War. droper.
Mr. Parry--Yes ; and if there had not been an ex
parte statement published I should not say one single
syllable as regards the course which has been adopted.
Alderman Wire—On Saturday you will have a full
opportunity of being heard, and I am satisfied that my
brother Alderman, who will sit on that day, will afford
you every facility for making any statement you may
think conducive to the interest of your client.
The parties then left the court.

IRONMA STERS' QUARTERLY MELTING,
•
WOLTERIIAMPTON, Wednesday.---/ he usual quarterly
meetings of the irontnasters of this district for the cur-
rent quarter commenced at Walsall yesterday. The
second meeting was held here this afternoon. There
was a thinner attendance than usual, and very little
business was transacted. The trade is in a languid
state, there are uo orders in from America, and as re-
gards the price of manufactured iron the resolution
adopted at the preliminary meeting has been aban-
doned ; and there is a general concurrence on the part
of the trade to reduce bars 40s. per ton on the last
quarter-day's prices, the fall on other descriptions of
iron being in proportion. That the trade is in a de-
pressed state cannot be concealed ; but the best in-
formed members of it agree that there is little 'cause
fur despondency. There are no stocks of iron of any
kind ga hand, for, unlike former periods of languor,
all Through the last quarter the mills and forges were
kept going not more than half time ; and the opinion is
very strongly entertained that another two months will
bring about a change for the better in American com
mercial affairs, a circumstance which would instantly
impart renewed vitality to the iron trade, especially as
the States, not having been importing iron during the
last three months, must of necessity have been exhaust-
ing. Prior to the public assembly to-day a very important
meeting of the pig masters was held at the SWan Hotel.
The object was to consoler the expediency of reducing
the make of pig-iron 20 per cent. during the present
quarter. About three-fourths of the furnaces of the
district were represented, and with one dissentient voice
only it was agreed that to reduce the make to the ex-
tent proposed would tend greatly to restore the trade
to a healthy state ; but before coining to any formal de-
cision on the subect, it was agreed to a ijourn the
meeting for a week in order that the opinions of such of
the pigmnasters as were absent might be taken, The
present average price of hot-blast amine pigs of Stafford-
shire make is 4/. 10s.; of cold-blast, five guineas per
ton. Ironstone ranges from 18s. to 205., and coal fully
maintains its price, which is to some extent attributable
to the fact that the quantity raised is very much lessened
by reason of the difficulty experienced in getting the
miners to work ; on an average they will not work more
than 3 days a week, and some of the pits are almost at
a stand. Up to the present time the wages paid to the
mill and forgemen have been kept up to the same stand-
ard as when all descriptions of manufactured iron was
at least 2/. a ton higher than it now is ; the present
scale oannot, however, any longer be maintained, and it
was intimated to-day that a general reduction would take
place immediately. The demand for tin plates is brisker
than it was on last quarter day; the present price is 325.
6d. to 335. per box. delivered at Liverpool.
MR. EDWARD OLIVER'S CASE.

THE ADJUDICATION OF BANKRUPTCY SET
ASIDE.
LIVARPOOL, Wednesday. —Yesterday morning the case
of Mr. Oliver came before the Court of Bankruptcy, in
this town, presided over by Mr. Commissioner Steven.
son.

Mr. Bardswell supported his previous application to
set aside the Petition for adjudication against Mr. E.
Oliver, a..-nd the whole of the subsequent proceedings.
After denying the truth of various reports, which
rAileged that the creditors were desirous of having the
estate administered through the Court of Bankruptcy,
he proceeded to argue the case, relying upon an infor-
mality iu the petition in its neglecting to state for what
the bankrupt was indebted.
Mr. Evans adinitted that the petition was not made
out in the prescribed form, and after explaining that he
hsd not filed the petition in the first instance, he said,
' as he could not sustain the petition in its pre-
yint form, and did not think he could better his client
by seeking to amend it and set himself right, he did not
think he ought further to resist Mr. Bardswell's motion.
If his honour were induced to amend the petition, it
would leave his client with difficulties to contend with
elsewhere, and he considered it the safer course to advise
inin to withdraw.
His Honour declined to give his decision until to-day
(Wednesday), when he declared the adjudication set
aside, 2/114 the petition void.