The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-10 00:00:00

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.

IN THE MATTER OP SARAH BLAKE-THE WHEAL SOPHIA
MINING COMPANY.
This insolvent, a young woman, applied under the
Protection Act.
Mr. Sargood supported.
There were only two creditors in the schedule, who
are connected with the Wheal Sophia Mining Company.
Sho was sued for 271. for work and machinery on ac-
count of the mine, situate i❑ Cornwall, and petitioned
the Court to save her from imprisonment.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips, after inspecting the pro-
ceedings, said, without exception, it was the cruellest
schedule he Lad ever seen.
Mr. Sargood said it was a very cruel case—a poor
servant made liable on some shares in a mining com-
pany she had the misfortune to purchase.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips remarked that he saw she
had been sued on account of the Wheal Sophia Mining
Company for materials and labour. What could the
poor servant maid know of such things
Mr. Sargood informed the Court thatthe secretary of the
company was the solicitor who had sued her as one of
the shareholders ; and he (Mr. Sargood) should like to
know how such a thing could be done ? A similar case
of a servant had occurred before Mr. Commissioner
Murphy. The poor girls had been induced to take shares,
and the young woman now before the Court had actually
paid to the company 321.—n0 less than two years' hard
earnings.

Air. Commissioner Phillips wished to see a prospectus,
to know of whom the company consisted.
Mr. Tapping, barrister, said he appeared on the part
of Messrs. Crickne, who had sued the insolvent, and
wished to make a few remarks as to the company. He
did not wish to oppose, but the observations he wished
to make were in answer to remarks in the other case
which bad appeared in the newspapers.
Mr. Sargood objected. The parties could oppose, and
then the learned counsel could appear for the-company.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips said he could not hear Mr.
Tapping unless he opposed. 'He had no doubt the news-
papers had correctly reported what had occurred. He
knew nothing about the company, and all be could
say was, that it was a cruel case as far as the young
woman was concerned. Ho wished to know from her
how she was induced to buy the shares.
The Insolvent said she had lived in the family of Mr.
Fraser, in Cornwall, who is now a county court judge,
and she was induced to take the shares by the captain
of the mine.

Mr. Commissioner Phillips—The captain of the mine.
Pray, who is he?

Mr. Tapping explained that the " captain " was the
servant of the company.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips—How much have you
paid ?

- Insolvent-321. A
Mr. Commissioner Phillips—Just two years of your
hard-earned wages.
Insolvent—Yes, sir.
His Honour read the second debt in the schedule, and
found the term " adventurers," on which he made a
commeet that it seemed to be applicable.
Mr. Tapping said it was the common and ordinary
'expression of persons connected with mines.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips—Well, it may be. Thank
Heaven, I know nothing about them.
Mr. Sargood said, if the appearance of the learned
counsel was not a mere affectation on the part of the
-ompany, they could oppose on the next occasion, and
the secretary could show how he had mud the two poor

domestic servants who were shareholders, and he invited
him to appear on the final order day.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips had riot read the observa-
tions referred to, and he could only ray that if the com-
pany thought proper they could appear on the next oc-
casion, when he should be happy to hear any explanation.
All he could say was, that his present impression was,
that it was the cruellest schedule he had ever seen of a
servant-maid having paid-321. for shares, and obliged to
petition this Court on being sued for work and labour to
the company, of which she knew nothing.
The 30th November instant was appointed for the day
of the final order.