The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-22 00:00:00

Do..

LAW INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day.)

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.
THE QUEEN ON THE PROSECUTION OF WILLIAM COCKBURN

-LIBEL.

Sir F. Thesiger moved for and obtained a rule for a
criminal inforwation againat Mr. Cockburn, publisher
of the Joint Stock Companies' Journal, fdr a libel against
the directors of the London Bank in that paper.

Mr. Cockburn appeared personally and opposed the

motion.

Rule made absolute.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Air. Commissioner Fano.)

IN RE NATHAN.

This was a meeting for the last (xlmination of this
bankrupt, who was described as of Church-lane, White-
chapel, butcher and salesman.

Mr. Sturgeon appeared to oppose, on the part of the
assignees, on the ground that the accounts were un-
satisfactory, not being vouched ; and that the bankrupt
bad not exerted himself to obtain accounts from the
persons with whom he had dealt, in order to corroborate
the statement in his balance-sheet, the bankrupt not
having kept praper books of account.

His Honour sail that a bankrupt could not compel
them to give information, and probably they would not
take any trouble at his request, but the assignees could
apply to the Court for summonses against them, and
compel them to give any required explanation. The as-
signees bad had ample time to do so, and if they had not
done so, it ought not to prejudice the bankrupt, and he
would therefore be allowed to pass.
Mr. Sturgeon said the assignees would oppose tie ap-
plication for a certificate.

CITY SHERIFFS' COURT.
(Before Mr. Prendergast, Q.C.)
MACPHERSON V. PULLEN.

CdITTION.—PROMISSORY NOTES.—The plaintiff in
is an accountant, and brought an action on two pro-
missory notes for 2/. each, given by the defendant.
It appeared that the defendant had been a bankrupt,
and his examination bad been adjourned several times,
the accounts not being satisfactory, and ultimately the
rlaintiff was engaged to complete them, which he did,
but refused to file them until he had been paid, and
defendant gave him the notes in question.
Mr. Lewis, for the defendant, took an objection that
the notes were invalid on several grounds—the principal
being that the notes being for sums under 51 , the law
required that there should be a subscribing witness to
the signatures, also that the name and address of the
person to whom it was made payable ought to appear on
the face of the document, and also, that they were made
payable one month after date, whereas the length of
time was limited to 21 days, and by the Act of Parlia-
ment the note was to be made according to the form
prescribed in the Act.

His Honour held that the objections were fatal to the
case, and the plaintiff must be non•suited, but where a
,man, in writing, admitted his liability, he ought to pay.
Mr. Macpherson said that he should bring another
action on the contract generally.

MONSTER BLAST.

- -

HOLYHEAD HARBOUR, MAY 21.

This maz,nificent operation came off with com-
plete success at 20 minutes past noon this day,
when, with an aggregate charge of 21,0001 b. of
powder, a section of Holyhead mountain, amount-
ing in measurement to 160,000 tons of the hardest
quartz rock, was dislodged. The most splendid
sight was presented on the command " Fire !" be-
ing given, when a section of the mountain up-
heaved and came over like an avalanche, leaving a
space of 450 feet in length, 120 in height, and 60
in breadth, as a witness to the successful applica-
tion of powder as a moving agent.
The engineering operations were conducted by
Mr. Chas. Righy in person, assisted by Mr. G. C.
Reitheimer, the resident engineer for the contrac-
tors, Messrs. J. and C. Rigby, of Westminster.
Upwards of 60 engineers of the civil and military
branches were present, several of whom are among
the more eminent of the day. The London and
North-Western Railway Company afforded every
opportunity to the scientific inquirer and public at
large by running cheap trains. Nearly 10,000
visitors witnessed the operation.