The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-22 00:00:00

PRICE OF SUGAR.

The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed
5-om the returns made in the week ending May 18,
1847, is 295. 8:14d. cwt.

LAW IN TELLIGENCE.
COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, May 21.
(Before Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD.)

IN RE TIiE TRING, READING, AND BASINGSTOKE RAILWAY

COMPAN Y.

This was a meeting for passing the last examination
of the gentlemen who were appointed to make out the
balance-sheet.

Mr. RICHARDSON, for a shareholder, observed, that he
held the Bill presented by this company to Parliament,
and by that Bill it appeared that there were fife
directors, who were to receive five shares each, and there
was no mention of that circumstance in the balance-sheet,
upon which they now sought to pass their last exami-
nation.

Mr. E JAMES, for the directors, said that they must
receive five shares each, in order to qualify them, and in
the present case the deposits upon them were never paid,
but, however, it did not affect the balance—that was the
best the bankrupts could give.
Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD--Yes, but it may not be
satisfactory to the Court.
Mr. RICRARDSON submitted that there ought to be an
adjournment of the case, in order to enable the share-
holders to make further inquiry.
Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD refused to grant the ad-
journ men t.

Mr. JAMES remarked that in point of fact this gentle-
man was a bankrupt, instead of a creditor.
Mr. DUNCAN interposed by stating that this client (Mr.
Atkinson) was a creditor who had proved his debt, and
would ask the bankrupts a few questions.'
Mr. LAWRANCE, for the assignees, must object to Mr.
Duncan being beard, on the ground that his client had re-
ceived 20s. in the pound, and 4 per cent. interest.
Mr. DUNCAN replied that there was a small balance
due to Mr. Atkinson by the bankruptsovbieh was unpaid.
The Hon. F. H. Berkeley (one of the bankrupts) wished
to state that with respect to the five shares before al-
luded to, the deposits upon them were never paid, and
therefore the balance-sheet was correct.

Mr. Everill, solicitor to the company, corroborated
,his statement.

Mr. OGLE then rose to address the Court on behalf of
a scripholder, when
Mr. LAWRANCE objected, that a scripholder had no
locus sta.ndi in this court to oppose.
Mr. OGLE having referred to the cases of Walstab v.
Spottiswoode, and Wontner v. Sharp, referring to the
arguments there used, submitted that he had a right to
be heard.

Mr. LAWRANCE observed that if the Learned Counsel
was in a position to prove, he might be heard, because
he was either a creditor or a bankrupt.

Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD could not allow Mr.
Ogle to be heard.
Mr. LAWRANCE stated that it was intended to super-
sede this fiat. All the creditors would receive 20s. in
the pound, and it was highly necessary to look into the
proofs, because this case must be dealt with as all other
bankruptcy cases.
Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD—Certainly.
The Hon. F. H. Berkeley was then examined, and
stated that he was Member for Bristol, and had become
a director of the Tring Railway, but upon whose request
he could not now charge his memory. He had not re-
ceived anything from the company from first to last.
He never had an allotment of shares, but had received
money from the company for his services as director and
chairman, although he had not attended so punctually as
he ought, and upon the retirement of the former chair-
man, he (Mr. Berkeley) was completely thrust into the
situation, notwithstanding that he had previously refused
it. He was not aware of the amount he had received for
his services, but, however, it was small.
Mr. Graham, the official assignee, stated it to be
651. 2s.
Examination continued—The company had capital
sufficient for a small portion of the scheme, which they
went to Parliament upon. It was a bond fide line, re-
ceiving the approbation of the landowners. After the
Bill was committed, Mr. Duncombe's resolution respect.
ing railways was passed, which gave a right to the share
holders to stop the company before going to the Com-
mittee, and they directed that the Bill should be drawn,
and it was done so. The result was, the bankrupt ap
peared at this court. The balance-sheet now before the
Court was the best which could be rendered, and he had
no notion of concealment or keeping anything back.
Mr. GRAHAM stated that there appeared by the ba-
lance• sheet to have been 200 shares allotted to Mr.
Berkeley.
Examination resumed—Most certainly not upon his
application, and he was never informed that any such
allotment had taken place. lie had never traded or sold
any shares, although he had had ample opportunity, be-
cause shares were at a premium. _

Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD—Did you know that
these shares were allotted to you ? The Hon. F. H.
Berkeley—No, sir, I did not.
Mr. JAMES—Have you been in communication with
the official assignee ? The Hon. F. H. Berkeley—Yes.
Mr. JAMES—Have you given up all the papers, and
made the best account:of the company's affairs you can?
The Hon. F. H. Berkeley— Yes, to the best of my
knowledge.
Mr. GRANAM then referred to a memorandum in the
balance-sheet respecting the allocation of 875 shares.
They were placed in tho hands of Messrs. Hill and
Everill.

Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD—And there are only
490 shares accounted for ?

Mr. GuamAm—Messrs. 11111 and Everill were cre-
ditors to the company, and have a large claim. They
ought to debit themselves with the deposits on 385
shares, being the difference between the 490 paid on and
the 875 allotted.

Mr. JAMES stated the shares alluded to were never
accepted, and were now_ in court.

Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD—Were they not ac
cepted so as to make a person liable ?
Mr. JAMES—No, sir.

Mr. COOKE, for Mr. Saunders, then tendered a proof
for upwards of 1,0001., which was admitted._ _ _

. ,
Mr. DuNcAN wished to state that he had not the
slightest objection to the Hon. F. H. Berkeley.
After some further discussion,
The bankrupts passed their last examination.

COURT OF EXCISE, May 21.
(Before T. HARRISON, Esq., H. F. STEPHENSON, Esq

and CHARLES Ross, Esq.)

Thomas Connor, of No. 22, Wilk-street, Spitalfields,
was charged with having in his possession an illicit still.
Mr. Hughes, an officer of Excise, proved finding a
still fitted up at the top of the house named in the infor-
mation, with a quantity of molasses wash, and the usual
utensils for distillation, which he seized, and conveyed
the same to this office.
The defendant said he knew nothing whatever of the
business that wascarried on, nor were the premises in his
occupation. He let them to a person some time ago,
who regularly paid him rent for them, and he produced
the rent-boob, with the sums entered that he received
from the occupier.
The COURT inquired why he did not bring his lodger
with him? The defendant replied, that he did not know
where to find him. For himself, he was but a weaver,
and could bring a character from his employer, with
whom he had been for the last five or six years.
The COURT gave judgment in the penalty of 501., and
condemned the seizure.
John Wilson, a seaman, employed on board the Vic-
toria Leith steamer, was charged with attempting to
removei a quantity of spirits, with intent to defraud her
Majesty of the
j dutythereon.,_
The COURT g,711,,? judgment, in the penalty of 251., and
condemned the spirits.
Thomas Curtis. of the W ateTioo-road, coffee.:;h:.p-
keeper, was convicted in the penalty of 751. for retailing
spirits and beer without a license.