The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-11 00:00:00

THE FAULT IN THE ATLANTIC CABLE.

TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH

COMPANY.

Gentlemen,—l have to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of a letter from your secretary, dated 27th
ult., declining to grant me permission to test the
Atlantic cable, and conveying the directors' re-
fusal to entertain any proposal which, after that
testing, I: might be prepared to make for the re-
opening and maintenance of communication with
Newfoundland. While awaiting this reply at Va-
lentia, I endeavoured to serve the interests of the
company by careful experimental research upon a
faulty piece of your cable (raised some weeks since
from the harbour), with the special object of ascer-
Itaiaing, the possibility, or otherwise, of accurately
detecting the character of a fault, as well as the
distance at which it might exist. The results of
this examination, which I now lay before you, are
decisive corroborating in every respect the opinion
which I have already given, that the systim of
testing hitherto confidently relied upon, is to the
last degree fallacious and inconclusive.
I have been able toimitate and reproduce at plea-
sure on this short length (less than two miles) every
phase through which the Atlantic cable itself has
been said to pass, the fault having 'been consecu-
tively arranged by me, as apparently existing at
600,500,400,300, and lastly at 280 and 240 miles
distance, and subsequently at shorter and interme-
diate lengths. These phases were not produced
either by adding to length, but simply by altering
the degree or amount of the fault already existing,
while the length of the cable as well as the position
of the fault in all instances remained the same.
It is therefore, manifestly impossible, by any
multiplied appeals to such a mode of testing to dis-
tinguish between a great fault at a considerable
distance, and a smaller fault, near at hand, or, in
fact, to ascertain at all with certainty the distance,
at which a fault exists, unless the degree or amount
of such fault be already accurately known—given
the distance, the amount of fault may be ascer-
tained ; given the amount of fault, the distance may
be determined. As, however, in the present condi-
tion of the Atlantic cable both are unknown, and
the indications required of each are identical in
character and inseparable from each other, it fol-
lows that by no nicety in the application of such
tests can these two points be separately examined
and determined with accuracy.
With such a source of error underlying all the
electrical opinions which have been relied upon,
the unequivocal demonstrations which I have ob-
tained induce me, in justice to the enterprise, at
once to impeach the validity of the accepted deci-
sion upon the state of the cable.
Bearing upon this subject, I here recal to mind
an incident of which the directors are perhaps
unaware, wherein one of_ the gentlemen recently
employed by them (Mr. C. F. Varley), in simple
reliance doubtless upon such tests, caused search to
be made about 70 miles out at sea upon a cable for
a fault or injury which was subsequently found to
be en shore. Another case has, indeed, very re-
cently occurred, in which, unless I am misin-
formed, the difficulty experienced in ascertaining
electrically the position of a fault in a cable of very
limited length, was only removed by the mecha-
nical operation of underrunning.
I will not enlarge upon the loss of capital and of
public confidence certain to result from a too im-
plicit reliance upon a system so open to error, and
yet upon the unshaken belief in which the very
existence of our enterprise has been for a long time,
and is at this moment, suspended.
I have felt constrained to bring this matter thus
prominently forward because an error in judgment
adopted and acted upon blindly, may thus decide
adversely, and at the same time wrongly and irre-
trievably, a question involving, to a great extent,
the interests of two nations, and the loss, or other-
wise, of half a million of money.
The probabilities are vastly against any approach
to accurate determination of the distance of the
fault in such a manner; while, irrespective of my
own testing. and observations, which lead to an
opposite opinion, the common sense arguments,
hitherto apparently overlooked, are wholly in
favour of the fault being close at hand. I will
briefly enumerate these :-
Ist. The cable has been long exposed to danger
upon coast, for which its delicate structure is
known to be utterly, unfitted ; we, therefore, have
a right to expect injury.
2d. The entire interruption which has occurred
from injury no less than three times in as many
months, to another length of cable identical in struc-
ture--originally a part of our own—similarly situ-
ated in the harbour, and connecting the island with
the mainland, does itself most strongly confirm this
expectation.
3rd. The last portion of the cable laid out by the
Agamemnon was believed to be less perfect than
the rest, and it was hoped that it might not have
been used at all ; in fact, it would not have been
but for the large amount lost upon the previous

trip.
4th. A considerable degree of fault was found to
exist in that part of the Atlantic cable within the
harbour which was cut out, and on its removal and
replacement by fresh cable, the signals from New-
foundland were so manifestly improved for a time,
that the subsequent receipt of messages was the
very best and quickest work performed by the
cable.
Lastly. No accident is known to have occurred
during the paying out at the distance of 280 miles,
sufficient to lay bare the conductor for two inches,
as is now inferred to be the case.
Having thus given my reasons for dissent from
the received opinion upon the present state of the
Atlantic cable, on the ground of its being based
upon insufficient, and what now prove to be un-
sound electrical data, no less than opposed to all the
arguments which common sense adduces, I may add
that my confidence will be in no way shaken should
the present tardy and feeble effort with reference
to the shore end prove a failure. I regard the means
employed as inadequate to the end to be attained.
I turn now with pleasure to recount to the direc-
tors an incident which I have gleaned since my ar-
rival at Valentie, and which, I doubt not, they will
learn with equal gratification. Shortly after the
repairs had been effected, to which allusion has al-
ready been made, and when the cable was in its
most perfect working order, the superintendent at
Newfoundland, when all the official messages of the
day had been worked off, gave permissiOn in order to
keep the clerks employed, for exchange of conversa-
tional intercourse between Newfoundland and Valen-
tia for a time. Freed thus from fear of any respcn-
sbility attaching to errors from carelessness or
haste, the clerks on duty manipulated at a higher
speed than had ever before been attained ; New-
foundland using. my instrument, and induction
coils for transmission, while Valentia received the
signals on Thomson's galvanometer, and recorded
by finger key upon the paper; the station clock
marked the time upon the paper, in hours, half-
hours, and quarters, as well as minutes, so that
there can be no error in the computation of speed.
I have carefully examined the record then made ;
the signals are perfect, and the rate at which for a
length of time that conversation was kept up in
words at full length, was such (if that speed alone
could be maintained, and I am confident that it can
even be increased), as would enable the directors,
after the payment of all working expensea,- to de-
clare a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per
annum upon the present capital ; while laying
aside, within 12 months, a reserve of £50,000.
This computation is made for the six working days
only, allowing a margin of four hours per diem
for unavoidable delays and interruptions.
These facts and these figures, together with the
calculations upon which they are based, I am pre-
pared at any time to submit and to substantiate
before the directors and shareholders, and this is
the condition to which I still believe the cable ad-
mits of being again safely and easily restored at
an early day.—l am, gentlemen, your obedient ser-
vant, E. 0. WILDMAN WIIITEIIOUSE,
Late Electrican to the Atlantic Telegraph
Company.
London, Nov. 8.

The Senaaine Feligieuie announces that the
Prince Lucien Bonaparte, who is in holy order, is occupy-
ing himself actively in re-establishing tho order of St.
Bernard in France. _ _

FIRE IN FLEET-STREET.—Yesterday morning,
between four and five o'clock, a fire broke out in the range
of premises belonging to Mr. Paul Jerrard, publisher,
situate at the corner of Red Lion-court, Fleet-street. The
discovery was made by the police on duty observing smoke
issuing from the workshop in Red Lion-court, who imme-
diately raised an alarm, when the inmates with difficult),
effected their escape. The engines of the Fire Brigade ar-
rived in quick succession. An abundant supply of water was
procured, and the firemen, under the direction of Mr. Braid-
wood, had the engines set to work. The flames continued
.to spread, and in the course of a quarter of an hour after
the outbreak the whole of the rooms in the extensive pre-
mises became enveloped in fire. At the same time the
heatedo.n. smoke was pouring through the walls of the ad-
I mg houses' and the inmates were compelled to rush out
into the street. m their night-dresses, carrying in their arms
h
children or any portable article of, furniture they
could lay their hang; upon. The firemen, although ex-
posed to imminent danger, kept to their work, but while
so engaged the hack wall tell in with a noise like a clap of
thunder, nearly burying them. Mr. Braidwood then -went
round to Crane-court ,s.
h Inspector Harding, and finding
no danger, directed the attention of the firemen to the sur-
rounding
fijerermrcl, not extinguished until
buildings, butl Paul
el
rntrblisher, were
second, third, and f metr-tltireet ; Mr.
the premises of Mrs
burnt out. Mr. G. Charles, tailor, 1
Gulden, publisher, the
the occuedtiziono.fellrt, IF'.leeEtg.
81 troene
t,
.)bookbinder;elonging in
and
advertising agent ; N 4, Mr. W. ll.l3rev to ,er,
Mr. Maddick, printer, -Crane-court, Fleet-street,
clh3e,ll
printer;all
.sustained or less damage by fire and water. The
loss win
fall uponnireo the Unity, Sun,-County, and other fire-
offices.

THE CASE OF OLIV_ER.

COMMITTAL FOR FRAUD 1..' ND r°llG-ERY'
William Lemon Oliver, descriii'ea as a stock-
'-e
broker, who stands committed to ta:"e his trial
the charge of misappropriating mone, v and securi-
ties to the value of £5,000, was againl'rought up
before Mr. Alderman Cubitt, at Guildhall, charged
with appropriating and converting to his 0:vn,,1t5,,,e
1,000 £1 shares of the North British Austr.
Company, and 100 £5 shares of the Crystal Pai.l"
Company, entrusted to him by Mr. Robert Swan,
an independent gentleman, of Northumberland, for
safe custody.
Mr. Henry James, the counsel for the prosecution,
said—The prosecutor, Mr. R. Swan, is a gentleman
of independent property, residing in Northumber-
land, and he and the prisoner have been on the most
friendly terms. You will find that he delivered a
box containing a number of shares and other secu-
rities to the prisoner to deposit at the London and
County Bank, and that a new lock was placed on
the box for greater security at the prisoner's sugges-
tion. But on the 2d Aug. last the prisoner wrote

to Mr. Swan as follows :
" 4, Austinfriars, Aug. 2, 1858, London, B.C.
"My dear old Robert,-1 shall, I think, leave off calling
you `old,' for it seems to me that you are getting more juve-
nile and lively daily. Yet still there is a charm in the name
of old Bob,' or rather Aufd Robert.' As to good friend
Shaw. Now Bob, do you think me such an old fool as to
say a word or to volunteer a sentence relative to ' bristles'
with such a man as the Irish magnate ? No, mon, no—not
such a jackass as that ; but yet the hint you give is wise and
right, and so I shall be on my guard if he calls. We are
fully expecting to hear from Caro. Our little home is now
all clear for her, and we are anxiously expecting her visit.
Bertha has laid out no end of trips for her, and I expect
London will be ransacked to give the. dear old gal please rd.
I enclose you a cheque for £lO, as also a blank transfer,
and what I want you to do with this is just this. I can, if
you like, lend your 1,000 N. B. A for three months to a
first-class man, who is anxious to get on the direction of the
company. For the accommodation he will pay you £2O
down, and deposit with you £l,OOO value Manchester, Shef-
field, and Lincoln stock, and 250 Submarine Telegraph
shares, value £3.50 at the lowest, engaging, too, to pay you I
all dividends declared or declarable within the three months
and to retrin to you free of all expense the shares at the
period named, that is, three months. He has deposited
with me lie M. and S. stock and the Telegraphs, Rid awe s
your reply. Now, as the election comes off at the board
meeting, Wednesday noon, if you agree to this (I think
it is an easy way of getting a £2O note), send up
your keys, and just say, ' Mr. M'Kewan, please deliver
to Mr. Oliver my deed box.—Yours, &c., It. S. I will
then get the shares, deposit in your box his agreement and
the other things—that is the M. and S. and Tele-
graphs—and return you the key by return. I could do it
elsewhere, but I offer it to you. Let me hear by return.
Peacock elects you to go on, but I have screwed out of him
for two months longer 10 per cent. Trusting to see you
very soon, I hope about Friday or so, believe me ever, with
our united regards and devotion, your faithful and attached
Colley,. " HOLD HOLIVER."
My client, Mr. Swan, accordingly sent up the key,
and the box was delivered to the prisoner, but I
will satisfy you that notwithstanding his sending
for the key the prisoner, as far back as January,
had possessed himself of the box deposited at the
London and County Bank, and without Mr. Swan's
knowledge he pledged 500 of the North British
Australian shares for £3OO, and the other 500
shares in the same company for another £3OO in
July following. I will prove that none of those
shares were deposited as proposed for election pur-
poses, and that the prisoner, since he has been in
custody, has admitted having a second key to the box
which held the securities, showing that the letter I
have just read was merely intended to blind the prose-
cutor with regard to the fact of the shares having
been dealt with at an earlier date. These are the
leading facts of the first charge ; but as there are
several cases involving more serious charges, I will
just state the course I intend to pursue. I pro-
pose proving the transfer of the shares in Jan-
uary and July—the first 500 to a person named
Barry, and the second 500 to the London and
County Bank. This transfer really bears the pro-
secutor's signature, but it will be found that Mr.
Swan signed several blank transfers for ,another
purpose, and it is one of those which the prisoner
has turned to account in the present transaction. I
will also show that the signature of the attesting
witness is a forgery. But I have even a more sub-
stantial charge of forgery against the prisoner in
the case of 100 Crystal Palace shares, which he ab-
stracted from the same box ; andeffecting the trans-
fer he has signed the prosecutor's name, and the
signature in that instance was attested by a lad
named Pickering, who was in the prisoner's employ.
Alderman Cubitt—Does any one appear to de-
fend the prisoner ?
Mr. Richardson—l attend for him.
Mr. Robt. Swan said—l have lately been residing
at Paris, but as I heard that the prisoner was in
custody, I came to London. My usual place of
residence is at Alnwick, in Northumberland. I
employed the prisoner as my broker previous to
the 2d of August last, when I received the letter
which has been read.
Mr. James—Did you, in consequence of that
letter, send up the key to the prisoner ?
Mr. Swan—No; for my key was in my port-
manteau at No. 24, Northumberland-street, Strand;
but I wrote to him, telling him to go to Chubb's,
the maker (as I thought) of the lock, .and get the
box open.
Mr. James—But how was he to get the box from
the London and County Bank ?
Mr. Swan—l sent him up a written authority,
directed to the manager of the bank, for the de-
livery of the box to the prisoner. I was not aware
that the prisoner had a duplicate key to my box.
Mr. James—Was there a lock on the box when
you first brought it up from Northumberland ?
Mr. Swan—There was; but the prisoner said it
was a common one, and that it was not safe to have
such valuable property under such a lock. That
get a new lock put on. lienm es
aessdo.,i
nanTtdhheegyabxo-
wa: in November or December last, and I told him to
key Nor
North
oßd ur
jetei
sdh.
AA
ut
stthraatl
itai
we x merleet :00;
shares, but I bought them at 12s. 9d. per share.
I had also 100 Crystal Palace shares, which were
in the box, and I saw them there intact at the same
time. I never gave him any authority to pledge
any North British Australian shares in the London
and County Bank, nor any shares whatever either
in January last or at any other time. I saw the
prisoner in Newgate on the Ist of the present
month, and asked him what had become of my North
British Australian shares, and he said they were all
right, and would be returned at his office. I had
reminded him that the three months would be up
on the 3d. I saw him again on the 2d of this month
in Newgate, and said to him, " Now, be honestwith
me in this affair." What I really said was, " Nov,
be candid with mc," for I very much doubted his
honesty, " and tell me exactly the position I stand
in with regard to everything you have in hand of
mine." lie then said the North British Australian
shares would not be forthcoming. He did not say
where they were on that occasion,but he afterwards
told me they were in the London and County Bank,
and that I could get them back for £6OO.
Alderman Cubitt—ls there such a company_as the
North British Australian ?
Mr. Swan—lt is the North British Australasian,
but it is commonly called Australian. I first became
acquainted with the prisoner four or five years ago,
and he commenced to act as my broker about the
same time, or almost immediately after. I remem-
ber sending up to the prisoner in June, 1855, the
transfer of some Manchester and Sheffield shares.
Mr. James—Do you recollect sending at that or
any other time more documents than the one
transfer ?
Mr. Swan—l think I can, but I cannot fix the
date. On the occasion I refer to, I sent up, signed,
three transfers in blank. I believe that was pre-
vious to the 2d August last. •
Mr. James—When the prisoner required you to
sign those transfers in blank did he state for what
purpose he wanted them ?
Mr. Swan—l am quite clear as to what he said.
It was merely that they were the transfers of some
shares about to be sold.
Mr. James—Did he tell you that all three trans-
fers were required for one set of shares ?
Mr. Swan--I understood they were. I was in
London for about a fortnight prior to the 2d of
August, and saw the prisoner nearly every day.
Alderman Cubitt—Do I understand you that
before ' going into Northumberland you saw the
prisoner every day for a fortnight, and that that
was some time previous, and not immediately pre-
ceding the 2d of August?
Mr. Swan—That is precisely what I mean. He
never communicated to me prior to that date that
he had transferred any of the North British Aus-
tralian shares.
Mr. James--Where were you when the pri-
soner's letter of the 2d of August reached you ?
Mr. Swan—l was at Alnwick, in Northumber-
land, and I returned him the following answer the
next day :

" Alnwick, 3d August, 1853.
"My dear old Cromwellian,--I beg to acknowledgo
cheque value £lO, and return documents signed, so as you
may carry into effect what is proposed in yours of the 2d
inst. I have not the key of the deed-box, therefore just
take if to Chubb's, where you were kind enough to buy the
lock, and, sans doute, they will be able to open it for you.
Take out what is wanted, and they can lock it, as I have
the key in my portmanteau at Mrs. Brooks's. I purpose
leaving here on Saturday morning in time for the stesrner
at one p.m., from N. Castle, being with you, I trust, early
On Monday morning, quite in time to meet Cam on her
arrival at the railway station. lam sure she will be de.;
lighted with her reception and Bertha's kindness'and atten-
tion, which I am certain she will ever have a lively and
grateful recollection of, for - she has in her bosom Etna's
never-dying flame; (The ould dog., still has a spark of
poetry in him.) Advise me to-morrow that this has enabled
you to put everything as you wished, and, with hive to
Bertha, believe me always the truthful,
ut übb's to get the box open ? " Senior Dog, BOB." .
~...‘lr. James—Why did you tell him to go to
Mr. Swan-=Because I was under. the impression

ob
signu but I
d so.
I:abalf bslalnkkt,
khart
that the prisoner bought the lock
understood him that it was a a
cannot positively say that he eve
Mr. James—Did you ever re
,e .
for the transfer of the 1,000 ewe
~s North British
,
Australian? _

- -
wouldhw a duil;d. b
j beae i' m
Mr. Swan—l did. It came t 1 -ith the letter of
2d August, and I return ed it signe d the following
day, witnessed by Dr. 1 aceley, of A inwick.
Mr. James—When you saw tithee. prisoner in New-
gate, did he say the N orth British Australian shares
soon as fney had been used
stioned in is letter to you ?
For
rutlhde be
purrep returned n
Thed r
~fa Y
Mr. Swan 7-374 e first time I: saw him in Newgate
, reoinded him that the , three months would
Ae.xpire 67 the 3d Nov., and asked him, if the shares
irthco ming, and his reply was, that they
de live !red at his office by, the party who
borrowed .I em. •
James--I )id he say anything about those
shares when yoi t saw him again next day ?
Tvir. Swan—Y es, sir ; he said they were at the
Londun and Coil nty Bank.
lid they were deposited there.
Mr. James--E tate to the Court under what cir-
cumstancese said they were pledged, and
could not be redek -!med 'for less' than £6OO ; but he
did not mention ti
mr.swantnst
to name of Barry as having any

: at the book produced, and say
of those shares. • •
ak
gned by you.
. _
if thari jtaraninesrerLiso:

Slwanes
n at:y sayo emv
eors t p
Ipaocsei t itvhe
al yt
stihganta
ttuhroe
signature is not m. y handwriting,
—Pit
to tho transfer of t b ose 500 North British Austra-

Lan shares ?

• Bourn. Now, tell me if that
Swan—Ne- cer , sir.
Mr. james..—Y 00 • signature purports to be
handwriting?
Mr. Swan--I kikov her handwriting, but that is
aattresstetadtiobyn
isCainrelhienre,
not her signature.
Mr. james_rrlutt, • transfer is dated in January
last. Now, do yo tit know where Caroline Bourn
was at that time ?
Mr. Swan—Yes, • Ale was at Paris. I never knew
her witness any trr aisfer of mine. I positively say
that no transfer of
''these shares was ever signed by
me. The transfer of 500 shares in the same com-
pany, elated 2d Au gust, also bears my own signa-
ture,afta purpoi is to be attested by Caroline
; but it is nof in her handwriting, neither
Bourn
did I sign l'he trap sfer of those shares.
transfersMrj wame you able to say if these two
h.ich tea' your signature are the same
which you si; ;nod in blank at the prisoner's request
for the trim& 'r of the Manchester and Sheffield
stock some tim e age ?
Mr. Swan—l. believe so.
Mr. James—CAD. you give an approximate time
when you signed the three blank transfers ?
Alderman Cubi A t—Was it three months, twelve
months, or two y e.ara ago ?
Mr. Swan—hi October, 1857, there were some
Scottish*Australai n investments sold, and I had to
sign a transfer or 500, and, as far as I can recollect,
it was at that tin at 3 that I signed several transfers,
being under the itnpressipn that they were neces-
sary. Caroline B 'ourn was in Paris in August, and
I was in Northam berland.
Mr. James—Dit 1 the prisoner, in the months of
January or August , hand over to you any notice
from Mr. Budge, th e Secretary to the North. British
Australian Compeurjr, stating that your shares had
been transferred ?
Mr. Swan—No, a ir, never.
Mr. Budge said— I am secretary to the North
British Australian C. nnpany, 27, New Broad-street.
I produce the registe r of shareholders. Previous to
the 18th January laf it Mr. Swan's name appeared
in our books as the hi elder of 1,000 of our shares.
Mr. James—What were the numbers ?
Mr. Budge—Nos. 156,735 to 157,434, Nos.
115,204 to 115,403, and. Nos. 177,206 to 177,305.
Mr. James—Now, Lai or about the 19th of
January did you recer-ae notice of the transfer of
these shares ?
On the 16th of January
.AOO shares from Mr. Swan
lastM trh.eSturdange—sferl
dile.edd,
for :500
to Mr. Barry of the Stook Exchange.
_156
Mr. James—Which members were those ?
date of
the transfer ,733 to 157,434. The
dip 15th of January, and
those shares were duly transferred in our books to
Mr. Barry.
Mr. James—Did you send any notice to Mr.
Swan before making the transfer in your books ?
Mr. Budge—l did, sir. ti I sent the notice ad-
dressed to "Mr. Swan, care of W. L. Oliver, 4,
Austinfriars," that being the prosecutor's registered
address.
Alderman Cubitt—That \ being his registered
address then, you knew of no other which would
be safe to direct such documents to with safety ?
Mr. Budge—Certainly not, sir.
Mr. James—l proposed to prove service of a
notice on the prisoner' to produce the notice of
transfer.
Mr. Richardson—We admit, the service.
Mr. James—ln criminal matters everything must
accordingly proved by a clerk tobe proved.
the solicitors
notice
forthe prosecution.
Mr. James—Did you receive any other deed of
was
transfer relating to other shares?
Mr. Budge—Yes, sir. On the 26th of July a
transfer deed of 500 shares North British Austra-
lian was lodged at our, office. The date of that
transfer is the 23d of July, from " Robert Swan, 4,
Austinfriars, to Wm. M‘Xewan and James Grey,
of 21, Lombard-street." ;The numbers of those 500
shares are 157,235 to 157,434, 115,204 to 115,403,
and 177,206 to 177,305. sent a notice to Mr.
Swan of that transfer also, and I afterwards trans-
ferred those shares in the book to the names of
M'Kewan and Grey, of the London and County
Bank.
Mr. John IEII, a stockbroker, of the firm of Sims
and Hill, of 3, Bartholomew-lane, said the prisoner
was not a member of the Stook Exchange.
Mr. James—Had you had any dealings with the
prisoner in the month of January or previous ?
Mr. Hill—l had, sir. On. the 12th of January
last we sold for him 500 North British Australian
shares, to Mr. Barry, a member of the Stock Ex-
change. I received from the prisoner the deed of
transfer, and the shares were transferred from the
name of Robert Swan to that of Horace Barry.
The numbers of the shares sold to Barry were
156,135, to 157,234.
Mr. Grey, chief accountant at the London and
County Bank, said, it is my duty to know what
securities arc at our bank for safe custody.
Mr. James—Was any box deposited there belong-
ing to Mr. Swan ?
111 r. Grey—There was, :Ir. It was deposited by
the prisoner, and, to the best of my recollection, it
had the name of Swan upon it. It was no part of
my duty to become acquainted with the contents of
the box. •
Mr. James—Did your bank advance a sum of
£6OO on some North British Australian shares in
July last ?
Mr. Grey—Yes, sir. On the 3d of that month
the prisoner deposited 1,000 shares of that com-
pany, and I have the certificates of them hare. The
numbers are 157,235 to 157,434, 115,204 to 115,204
to 115,403, and 177,206 to 177,305, making 500
shares.
Mr. Martin (Chief Clerk)— But bow many
shares in all did you advance the £6OO upon ?
Mr. Grey-1,000, sir. I received the transfer
and certificate from the primmer, and:l delivered
them to the secretary of the company.
Caroline Bourn said—l reside at 4, Rue de la
Corderie, St. Honore, Paris. The signature to the
deed of transfer dated the 15th of January is not
my handwriting. I never witnessed any such
document as that.
Mr. James—Look at the transfer of the 23d of
July and tell me if that is your signature.
Caroline Bourn--.lt is not. On the 16th of. Jan.
and the 23cl of July I was in Paris.
Prisoner—May I be allowed to look at that
transfer ?
Mr. Roe, the summoning
.officer, was here about
to hand the book for the prisoner to inspect, when
Mr. Budge, the secretary of the company, rushed
forward and snatched the book from Mr. Roe, fear-
ful of trusting such an important document within
the .prisoner's reach lest he should destry it.
Henry Smith, a clerk in the employ of Messrs.
Chubb, of St. Paul's-churchyard, said—l have exa-
mined the box produced. The lock was never made
at our house.
Mr. James—ls it a patent lock ?
Henry Smith—lt is a common lock made to re-
semble in appearance Bramah's patent. It is an
ordinary lock, and •
might be opened by a common
key.
111 r. James—Does it appear to hive been picked
or forced ?
Henry Smith—No, sir.
Alderman Cubitt—lf it is a common lock that
could be opened with an ordinary key, I presume
you would not be able to tell whether it had been
opened by a picklock or key, as there would be no
marks of violence upon it. •
Henry Smith—That is so, sir.
• Alderman Cubitti—Then, I apprehend the box
might have been opened without force ?
• Henry Smith—Certainly, sir.
Mr. George John Graham- said—l am the official
assignee appointed under the prisoner's bankruptcy.
I produce the box in question. I received it from
the messenger in bankruptcy.
Policeman 112 said---I apprehended the prisoner
on the 26th Oct-on.anOther charge, and I took pos-
session of a bunch of nine keys, which I gave to
Mr. Stubbs, one of the messengers of the Bank-,