The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-22 00:00:00

French Academy of Sciences,

At the last sitting a paper was received from M.
Pisani on a new mineral discovered by him in Corn-
wall, and to which he has thought proper to attecb
the (to English ears at least) odd appellation of
deviline, in honour of M. H. St. Claire Deville. This
mineral is found in crusts composed of an infinite
number of small crystalline plates. Under the
polarizing microscope it manifests the property
of double refraction. Its fracture partakes both
of the fibrous and lamellary forms, and presents a
silky appearance ; its colour is a greenish blue.
It has but little cohesion, is easily crushed be-
tween the fingers, and adheres to them ; it also
clings to the tongue. Under the blow-pipe it yields
a button of copper. Its other components are sal-
phonic acid, lime, and prot oxide of iron.—M. Paul
Gervais sent in a paper on a case of polymelia, cr
'mess of members, in a frog of the genus Pelobates,
and another in a species of ray-fish. The frog had
a supplementary paw attached to the front one on
the left side; the ray had two dorsal fins near the
cervical region, and of form resembling the pectorial
ones peculiar to the species. This fish was caught
alive near Cette; as for the frog it is the fourth
instance of polymelia on record in the family of
Batracians.—M . Berthelot communicated certain
researches of his on formic acid, from which it ap-
pears that vaporised formic acid subjected to the
influence of a high temperature is decomposed with
a considerable development of heat, and that its de-
composition may be effected under those circum-
stances either into water and oxid of carbon,
or into carbonic acid and hydrogen.—M. De-
scloireaux wrote to state that the meteorite of
Orgneil, which excited such interest last
spring, contains a crystallised substance*, the
presence of which has not yet been observed in
meteorites, and which on our earth is only to be
met with in talcoas schistus, and in a few very rare
veins. This subsumes is a carbonate of magnesk
and iron. The crystals found in the meteorite above
alluded to have the appearance of oblique parallelo-
pipeds, or obtuse rhombohedrons of an angle of
about 106 degrees. To these remarks M. Daub; er
adds that the carbonate in question is known under
the name of breunerite, and M. Cloetz shows that
meteorite contains 0 00057 of carbonic acid per
gramme.

The Alleged Irregularities by Bankruptcy

Officials.

On Saturday, there was a public investigation before Mr
Commissioner Sanders, by order of the Chief Registrar, into
certain alleged irregularities in the accounte of Mr Harris,
the official assignee of the Nottingham Division of the
Birmingham District Court of Bankruptcy. Mr Motterhaw,
who represented the Chief Registrar, said the gravamen o'
the charge against Mr Harris was that, having large sums
of money in hand belonging to other estates, he used a por-
tion of these moneys for his own private purposes, and at
times he had not at his banker's a sufficient sum of money
by several hundreds to meet what was actually due to dif-
ferent estates. It was shown by his cash book that on the
16th of July, Mr Harris had £1,543 on account of bank-
rupts' estates; while at his official bankers, if he might so
term them, he had only £•577 188 3d. The Commissioner—
Do you charge him then with having used the balance for
his own private purposes ? Mr Motteram— I do not say
how he applied it. On the Ist of September, it appeared
by the cash book that there was upwards of £2,000 due to

bankrupts' estates, but he had only £644 to his credit at the
bank, leaving a deficiency of £1,600. Surely Mr Harris
could tell whether those sums were or were not applicable
for the purpose of bankrupts' estate F. After some further
remarks, Mr Harris was examined. He said that on
the 16th July, 1863, he was accountable for a balance in
hand of £1,543 3s Bd. He ought not to have had that sum
at the bank. He had received.that sum on account of bank.
rupts' estates. He had disbursed out of that £1,513 on ac-
count of bankrupts' estates £636 16s 6d, and there was £577

188 3d at his credit at the bank. There were £lOO in hand,
cash and post-office orders, which sum he was entitled
to hold. That made altogetb.erLl,3lB 133 9d. There were
various memoranda with his cashier at the time amounting

to the difference. For ,instance, there was £5O 2s 3d
charged fur bankers' commission, which had been carried to
the debit of various bankrupts' estates, lie had also

I 0 U's for a balance duo by a late cashier in his employ,
amounting to £l9l 88 sd. He had never received it, but he
held himself responsible for it, and had since paid the sum,
He never paid into his private account at the bank sums
received on account of bankrupts. The book produced
would show to what extent the moneys belonging to
estates were mixed with his own private moneys. Previous
to the act of 1861, official assignees paid out of their own
pocket all sums for office and other petty expenses, By the
act of 1861 he was paid by salary, and the accounts had
,_besn kept in a different way since he was so instructed by
Mr Ayrton. No rule had been laid down as to the mode
of paying these office charges. Mr Motteram said he
wanted an answer yes or no to the question whether on
the 16th day of July Mr Harris's private money was
mixed up with what belonged to bankrupts' estates. Mr
Harris— I say that it was, and can give an explanation. I
dispute some of the balances struck by the commissioners.
They are not correct on Aug. 16, in which it is put £B3B 18s.
I say it was £859. The balance of tee estates on Dec. 1,
instead of being £2,012 9s id, ought to have been£l,674 198
ld. There is an entry on both sides of the account, £337
10s, which appears as a transfer from one estate to another.
I never received or paid the money. On April 16, I was
debited with £1,606 3s 101. which should be £1,506 3s 10d.
It was an error in casting by Mr Harding's clerk. There is
an error of £52 in another account. With the exception of
some trifling errors the other balances are correct in the
commissioners' appendix subject to my being allowed to
account for the difference in the balances for which 1 anc
held responsible, and the sum in the bank. I could produce
an account showing how all the differences arise, There are
various payments for such as office and clerks' salaries,
which are not always posted to the debit of such particular
estate. I did not in 1863 pay salaries out of my own pocket.
My cash books showed I had received those amounts. Mr
Motteram—That comes of mixing your private moneys with
these belonging to bankrupts' estates. Mr Harris—lt comes
of not receiving proper instructions as to the management of
the accounts. It was not until Messrs Ayrton and Harding
pointed out a different way of keeping the accounts that
the iystem was altered. Mr Motteram—Can you explain
how it was that whilst you had in hand on July sth £1,543,
you had only £517 18s 3d in the bank ?Mr Harris—l begin
by stating that I paid £lO 10s 10d on account of the clerks'
salaries. Mr Motteram—Do you claim a right to use the
funds from bankrupts' estates to pay your clerks ? Mr
Harris—Certainly. Mr Cave said that under the 31st sec-
tion of the Bankruptcy Act of 1861 the official assignee was
empowered to pay clerks salaries out of the court funds.
The learned counsel also remarked that there were other
sums he had paid away without taking any receipts. Mr
Motteram—What right had you to pay the salaries? Mr
Harris—They were allowed by the Court. Mr Motteram--
Have you any books or statement of the accounts to show
how the £1,543 came into your hands ? Mr Harris—lt is
shown by this book. The payments aro £lO more than the
receipts. Mr Motteram—Haya you taken any pains to se-
parate those accounts which are purely official ? Mr Harris
—The list of these accounts is made every halt-year. The
Commissioner said he should like to know how the Com-
missioners, Messrs Ayrton and Harding, had arrived at the
position that the money in excess had been withheld more
than a week. It seemed to him that that was the grava-
men. Mr Harris—l can show that, although I had only
£5lB in the bank book, I discharged myself of the surplus.
I have paid sums on bankrupts' estates fur which I am en-
titled to take credit, and I say that I have to account for
£BO6, Mr Cave said the mode of keeping the books had
given rise to a good deal of misapprehension. The sums put
down as paid away had been paid to particular estates, and
of course there were balances of payments which required to
bo made. Mr Harris—May I call Mr Motteram's attention
to the account of other official assignees similar to my own?
Mr Motteram—l think we have as much before us as we can
get through, I have arrived at the conclusion that the exas
mination conducted as it now is, without the aid of an ac-
countant, will be of little avail.
After some further discession the inquiry was adjourned.

FOOT RACE.—An exciting foot race between Ser-
geant Smith, 59th Regiment, and Private Wheat-
ley, 2d battalion Grenadier Guards, came off on the Farn-
borough-road, Aldershott, yesterday, the match being for
£2O aside, Smith having two yards' start inside the
mark. Smith has lately won for himself tho distinction of
"champion of Aldershott Camp." After several ineffec-
tual attempts a start was at length effected. Both men ran
well, but Wheatley's superiority was soon manifested. At
15 yards from the winning post he threw up his arms, as
showing he was winning; Smith put on a spurt, but the
guardsman kopt easily on, and won by about a yard. The
betting had been in favour of the sergeant, and many seemed
disappointed at the result, About 3,000 military and civilian
spectators were present, including a largo number of ofli
cers. Sergeant Smith took his defeat in very good :style.
Ilia friends, however, complain of the start made, and say
that the guardsman gained an undue advantage by the
pistol only snapping, and Smith, not at first heeding this,
but "feeling" Wheatley start, almost involuntarily did so
himself.

IREPRESENTATION OF MALDON.—At a meeting of
the Conservative Club, hell at Maldon last week, Mr H. J.
Selwyn, a son-in-law of the late Lord Lyndburst,announced
his intention of offering himself as candidate for the borcugh
at the next general election, in conjunction w.th Mr P,e:i-
cocko, M.P., on the Conservativ o interest At present
I\l ald on returns one Conservative wLd one Liberal,

Trust and Loan Company of Upper Canada.

The repert and statement of accounts of this company
for the six months ending Sept. 30 last has been issued.
The net profits during this period amount to £14,402 7s,
which, added to the sum brought forward from March,
gives a balance at credit of revenue of £14,706 6s Bd. The
directors recommend that out of this balance a dividend
at the rate of B.} per cent, per annum, less income
tax, be declared on the paid-up capital stock of
the Company; that ono-half of the surplus profits over 6
per cent. per annum, the usual charge for interest, amount-
ing together to £3,964 25., be carried to the reserve fund, in
accordance with the provisions of the 'Royal Charter of
Incorporation; and that £250 be applied to the redemption
of preliminary expenses. There will then remain the sum
of £lBO 4s. Bd. to the credit cf the next half-year's accounts.
During the period embraced by these accounts the reserve
fund has been charged with the sum of £693 108. 10d. for
losses on realisation of securities in default. '1 he amount
standing to the credit of this fund after adding the £3,964 2s.
above referred to will be 455,073 Os 2d. The accounts re-
eently received from Canada are of a satisfactory charac'cr.
Although the harvest of 1864 has not produced an average
yield, yet the condition of the agricultural interest is de-
scribed as being one of general prosperity and progressive
improvement. The steady development of the resources of
Canada, especially with reference to her mineral products,
and the prospect of a closer union with the Maritime Pro-
vinces are circumstances full of promise for the future, and
subjects for congratulation to all who are interested in the
welfare of British North America.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TATTERSALL'S-LAST EVENING.

Appearances have of late warranted the belief that the
periodical settlings at Tattersall's have been what is termed
"good." It has transpired, however, that frequently on
settling days only a portion of certain accounts were got
through, the remainder being left dependent on promisee.
This afternoon revealed a state of things very unsatisfac-
tory indeed, and although no individual instance of
" knocking out" was even hinted at, there were frequent
complaints of tardiness on the part of those who had to
"part." During certain intervals speculation on the
Derby was curled on as circumstances would permit. The
long existing desire to invest on The Duke at last, found
a vent, and after 100 to 7 had been backed to money 13
to 1 was eagerly accepted, but the Marquis of llastings't,
colt left off filially at 12 to 1, taken. It was a near thing
with The Duke and Breadalbane, but an offer to lay 1,000
even on The Duke against Mr I'Anson's "dark" one not
being accepted removed all doubts as to which had the pre-
ference. At a later hour, however, an adherent of the
Melton stable, for the consideration of a "fiver," accommo-
ated the backer of The Duke for an even thousand. The
only other feature worthy of being noted was the retirement
of Wild Charley, against whom 1,000 to 10 was offered
without a response, one report being that he was a "crib
biter," and another that he had "gone blind." The other
business done will be found in the following list of closing
prices :