The Sun.
London, England, 1837-10-10 00:00:00

THE GRAVESEND AND MILTON FREEHOLD INVESTMENT

COMPANY.

Mr. Henry Adlard, of No. 42, Hatton-garden, with 101
others, claimed to ,%ote in respect of " freehold land and
houses" in Milton-park.
The Claims were opposed by the Liberals.

The notices of objection having been proved,
Mr. John Matthews, the secretary and solicitor to the
Company, was sworn, and stated that he knew the claimant,
Mr. Adlard, who was a shareholder in the Gravesend and
Milton Investment Company ; he held ten shares ; the
estate of Milton park, which consisted of twenty-four acres
of land, was purchased by the Company in the early part
of 1836 ; there were several houses upon it. The pur-
chase-money for the estate was 21,0001. ; it was conveyed
to Alderman James Harmer and Mr. John Smith, for such
uses as they should appoint ; the deed produced is the deed
constituting the Company.
The deed was here read to the Court. It was dated
23d of June, 1836, and made between Charles Beckett
and John Wade, of the first part ; James Harmer and
John Smith, of the second part ; and John Matthews, of
the third part. It recited that a contract had been entered
into by the parties of the second part with those of the
first part fur the purchase of Milton-park estate, woods,
and fields, for 21,0001., and it witnessed that, in considera-
tion of that sum, Beckett and Wade did bargain, sell, and
release to John Matthews, his heirs and assigns, all that
piece of ground, with the chapel erected thereon, called St.
John's chapel, and consisting of twenty-live acres, more or
less, to hold it free from al taxes, upon such trusts as
Harmer and Smith should direct and appoint.
Mr. Matthews continued that he was solicitor to the
contract, and that a fair marketable price had been given
for the estate. The Company were several months ne-
gotiating with Mr. Beckett, as he for 4 1004 time held out
for 24,0001,

The deed of settlement of the company was next put in
and read, It was dated the 21st of November, 1830, and
made between James Harmer and eight others the direc-
tors of the company of the one part, and the several persons
whose names were thereunto subscribed of the second
part. It recited the objects of the Company, and the in-
creasing number of persons resorting to Milton next Grave-
send, and the demand for houses, and the purchase of the
estate by the parties of the first and second part conjointly,
which was made to ensure the shareholders of the Company
a fair remuneration for their capital, and considerably to
improve Gravesend and Milton. The capital to be raised
was 60,000/., in calls of 51. each, and deposits of 2/. were
to be made on the shares. The Company, which was to
be known by the before-mentioned title, was to be managed
by nine directors, each holding not less than forty shares.
It also provided for the appointment of a treasurer, banker,
and secretary, and indemnified the shareholders against all
liabilities beyond the amount of their subscribed capital.
The whole of the property was to be deemed personal
estate ; 21,277 persons, or thereabouts, had paid deposits.
Mr. Robert Coles Arnold, treasurer to the Company, was
next called, and stated that he paid the purchase money
for the estate ; 2,200 shares had been taken up, and 12/.
10s. per share paid on them. It was out of the subscribed
capital that the purchase was made.