The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-13 00:00:00

THE CRYSTAL PAL ACE FRAUDS

LAMBETH POLICE-COITRT--(THIS DAY).
William, fames Robson, late (:bief clerk in the Transfer-
office of the Crystal Palace C ompssny, was brought up
on remand, at two o'clock, b afore Mr. Elliott, for fur-
ther examination for stealing certstin preferential shares
of the company entrusted to him for safe keeping. The
court was densely crowded. Mr. Groves, secretary to
the company, and several of the directors were present
Mr. Anderson, chairman of tb e company, was accom-•
modated with a seat on the bcnch.
The prisoner, when placed in the dock, cast an anxious
glance round the court, and on sitting down covered his
face with his handkerchief as on the former occasion. He
still appears to feel deeply his degraded position.
Mr. Hawkins, barrister, instructed by Messrs. John.
son, Farquhar, and Co., appeared for the prosecution.
Mr. Herring, solicitor, attended td watch the proceed.
ings on beha'd of the prisoner.
Mr. Hawkins said he should first proceed to make
the former noise perfect, and called
Mr. Fasson, to prove the allotment and register of
the eight preference shares in question to Mr. Robertson
of Leeds. He produced the necessary documents for
that purpose. The shares have never been transferred
by Mr. Robertson to any person. The certificates of
shares produced from 199,471 to 199,478 were allotted
and issued by the company to Mr. Robertson, and
bear the seal of the company. The document
produced, purporting to be a transfer of Arthur
Julius Scott, of Barnsbury-park, Isliogton, to Charles
Walter Morris of the Stock Exchange of 50 half shares
in the Crystal Palace Company, amongst which were
the eight shares above named, is attested by the pri-
soner, and purports to be executed by Scott. It was
dated 14th October, 1856.
By Mr. Elliott—There is nothing to identify the
shares, except the seal of the company. The secretary's
name, figures, and every part on the scrip was printed.
By Mr. Hawkins—From the seal only he was enabled
to say they were the same as issued by the company.
Mr. C. Barnard in the employ of Messrs. Jones and
Co., printers, of Eastcheap.—They were employed by
the Crystal Palace Company to print in the names and
address of theproprietor and the consecutive numbers on
the shares. On the 7th March 1856, he received 52
preference shares in blank, on which he printed the name
and address of Mr. Robertson, and the consecutive num
hers (including the numbers above quoted).
Mr. Groves, secretary, deposed that the eight shares
produced were issued by the company to Mr. Robertson
and to which he was authorised to affix the seal of the
company.
Mr. Hawkins said that finished the case. His next
charge was with reference to five B shares allotted to
John Bond and John Dun, of Lancaster, who were the
original registered proprietors of those shares ; and
called the following evidence :
Mr. Fasson—l produce the allotment book of the bank
shares of the Crystal Palace Company. I find an allot-
ment of 100 new shares to John pond and Jonathan
Dunn, of Lancaster. I also produce the number of the
shares 153,225 to 153,424, and Bond and Dunn are the
registered proprietors of the shares ; those shares have
never been transferred, and they still remain in Bond
and Dunn's names on the books.
Mr. Ekin, stock broker, of Change-alley—l know the
prisoner. In Oct. 1855 I sold a number of shares in
the Crystal Palace Company at his request. I sold
them to Mr. John Derrick, of Harrington-street,
Hampstead-road. The prisoner handed over to me the
scrip certificates of those shares, which I handed over to
Mr. Berrick. Robson executed the transfers of the
shares to Mr. Berrick. The shares I sold were num-
bered 153,415 to 153,419. Altogether I sold 139
shares on that day, and these five were part of that
number. The transfer was dated 31st October, 1855.
Mr. Elliott asked how it was that when the shares
stood in Dun and Bond's name, a transfer was taken
from Robson.
Mr. Hawkins said it was owing to the negligence of
the purchaser.
Mr. Elliot—ls it the practice to transact business in
that way !
Mr. Eikin—Yes. The purchaser must look out for
the security of the title.
Mr. Hawkins—lt is for the purchaser to search the
transfer-book !
Mr. Eikin—Yes. It would be impossible for stock-
brokers to search the transfer shares passed from
several hands in the course of the day.
Mr. Derrick proved purchasing she share in question,
and executing the transfer with the prisoner.
Mr. Grove, recalled, said the shares in question were
five of the shares issued to Messrs. Bond and Dunn, and
were sealed with the seal of the company.
Mr. Hawkins said that was all the evidence he should
offer on this charge.
Mr. Elliott asked the prisoner if he bad any ques
Lions to put to the witnesses.
The prisoner replied he had not.
Mr. Clements, stockbroker, who gave evidence on
Friday, was recalled.
Mr. Elliott (to Witness)—Do I understand from you
that it is the practice to sell shares in the market with-
out any inquiry as to the fact of the vendor ?
Mr. Clements—Yes.
Mr. Elliott—Then there is no security for the pur-
chaser who goes into the market.
Mr. Clements—No. The only security ho has is to
send in tho transfers for registration to the company's
office, where, if it. be a fraud, it will be immediately do
tected.

Sergeant Coppin was also recalled, and added to his
former evidence that on his way home from Copenhagen
with the prisioner he said to him,—l am told you are
20,000/. deficient. He said, no ; it was not so
much as that, but about 10,0001. He could tell
if he had his books and papers. I said, " I
suppose you know whaler your books and papers are t"
He said, "No ; he had gone away without taking care
of them, and he did not know what had become of any-
thing." I 'aid, "I understand Mr. Smith has taken
charge of all, and that you will be able to get them of
him when you get to London." He said be would make
inquiries about them.
The depositions baying been read over by Mr. Perry,
the chief clerk, with a view to the commitment of the

prisoner.
Mr. Hawkins said he understood the prisoner wish to
be further remanded, and if so, he should not resist it.,
because, as he was undefended, he had no wish to press
hard against him.

The prisoner communicated in writing to the magis.
trate who banded it to Mr. Hawkins.
Mr. Hawkins said in all probability other charges
would be preferred against the prisoner at the Old
Bailey, the particulars of which should be furnished to
bins before the trial.

The prisoner, who declined saying anything, was for-
mally committed for trial.

The Grand Duke of Baden and his young bride
entered Friburg on the 6th amidst great rejoicings.
Their Royal Highnesses are about to pass a few
days in the beautiful island of Mainau, on the lake
of Constance.

ROYAL FREI: HOSPITAL, GRAY'S-TNN-ROAD.—The
usual quarterly meeting of the governors of this hospital
was held in the board-roem of She hospital on Thursday
last, when the re.prirt for the quarter, which was read by
the secretary, showed a large increase in the number of
patients received over that of the corresponding quarter
of the last year, Whilst the number of patients adroit •
ted, both in and out-door patients, during the quarter
ending 30th Sept., 1855, amounted to 10,745, the num-
ber admitted during the quarter ending 30th Sept., 1856,
was 11,386, showing an increase of 941 over that of the
corresponding quarter of last year, but whilst the beep:-
tal has increased in usefulness and in the capacity of
affording accommodation to the poor applicants for
medical'a.nd surgical relief by the opening of the noble
wing to the memory of the Duke of Sussex, the support
of the wealthy and charitable has not been in the same
proportion. The increase in subscriptions and donations
for the quarter ending 30th September last has only by
ceeded that of the corresponding quart.r iast year ex
the slllll QllOl. 90.