The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-31 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.--(This Day.)

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Holroyd.)
IN ItE C. J. MASH.

This was an adjourned meeting of creditors under the
estate of this bankrupt, who was well known as a ship-
builder at Black wall, to consider the propriety of
accepting a composition, so that the bankruptcy might
be superseded. Several previous meetings have been
held, but from various causes not precisely known, as
they were held in private, without result.
Mr. Linklater appeared in support of the proposition,
which was the payment of a composition of 4s. in the
pound, in addition to the dividends already paid.

Mr. Waller and Mr. Ditchbnrn appeared for creditors
in opposition.

There were few creditors present in person, amongst
whom was Mr. Rob-, a creditor to a large amount, and
the others were represented under powers of attorney,
by different gentlemen.

On the power of attorney being pet in,
Mr. Plews asked whether they were to be taken as
admitted, if not disputed at the present tame /

His Honour said he must take it that the gentlemen
who put them in were duly authorised.
Mr. Plews said he did not speak personally, but to
meet any objection made by the dissenting creditors.
His Honour said all they had to do with was the
assenting creditors at the present meeting.
The list Ras then called over, and a discussion com-
menced w hich is liktly to occupy a considerable time, as
a question has been raised as to the legality of the pro-
ceedings partly, and to a great extent, on the ground of
purcba.ing debts to obtain votes.

CRIMINAL COURT—(This Day).

OLD COURT.
(Before the Lord Chief Baron.)
THE BALL'S POND MURDER.

Robert Thomas Davis, carpenter, 40 years of age, was
indicted for the wilful murder of his wife, Martha, by
cutting her throat with a razor.

Mr. Payne prosecuted ; Mr. Sleigh defended the pri-

loner.

The particulars of this murder have been so recently
before the public, that it is only necessary to state that
the murder was committed after a quarrel between the
prisoner and his wife after they had been drink-
ing together at various public•howes in the neigh-
bourhood. They resided in Dorset-street, Islington,
and it appeared from the evidence adduced, after they
had retired to rest with the child of four years of age,
that the prisoner cut his wife's throat with a razor—that
she ran out of the house into the street, and communi-
cated to the people, who congregated around her, the
injuries she had received, and that shortly afterwards
she sank from exhaustion from loss of blood and died.
The prisoner Davis showed the razor to the people :5 -
eembled, remarking that that was what he had done it with,
saying at the same time, "I have done it at let ; I'm a
happy man now, and I shall die for it." Oa the following d:ty
he stated to the Inspector that "he did not do it, it was
done in a moment. She was the best wife that ever
lived." The prisoner was heard to lrok the door that
his wife might not leave the room whilst he fetched the
razor from the bed-room.

Mr. Sleigh, for the prisoner, urged the jury to take a
merciful view of the case and return a verdict of man-
slaughter from the absence of premeditation on the part
of the prisoner, which was the essence of the capital
charge of murder. Tney were in ignorance of wEat
occurred between the prisoner and his wife previous to
the infliction of the wouud, and what provocation had
led to the sudden outbreak of passion that had caused
the wife's death.

The learned Chiqf Baron having summed up,
The jury found the prisoner guilty of Murder.
Oa being asked by the clerk of arraigns if he had any
to say why he shJuli not be sentenced to die
according to law,

The prisoner, who cried bitterly, said—" I loved ray
wife and child too dearly to do my wife harm. If I bad
not been deprived of my senses by liquor I should not
have butt her. I have zany friends here who know it.'
The Lord Chief Justice, after remarking on the
enormity •f the prisoner's offence, passed sentence of
death OD him in the usual terms.

The pribor.er appeared to feel acutely his wretched
position. He frequently wept during the progress of
the trial, and lifted his tremulous hands in a enpplicat ing
manner. He was then assisted from the dock, crying
bitterly, by the warders in attendance.

POLICE INTIT•LIGENCE. (This Day.)

MARLTIOROUGII-STREET.

DISGRACEFUL DISTURBANCE AT HER MAJESTY' S
THEATRE.—Frederick Regnolds, clerk, No. 7, Cherie-
wood-street, Pimlico, and Arthur Wilson, the son of a
generalYork-
street, zp
oorflit
n2c earn
.nselwu
asreer,
werevingipnlacled India,
iaat the
,ofNbaor. b4eBforYe (Ttilkr;
Bingham, charged with creating a disturbance at lher
Majesty's theatre.
Police sergeant 8 A, stated, that he was on duty hat
night at her Majesty's theatre, being the first night of
Jullien's concerts, when his attention was attracted to
the two defendants, who were in the promenade.
Regnolds was in the centre of a number of persons
creating a great disturbance, by throwing done half-
pence, and inducing persons to stoop down to pick them
up, and while they were attempting to accomplish thou
object, he pushed others on them and they ell fell down
in consequence, causing a very great uproar amongt
the audience. Seeing that Regnolds wab one of the
principal promoters of the row, he went up to him and
told him he was exceedingly foolish to attempt a dis-
turbance there, when he said it was not his fault, he :taw
some one throw a coin down, and he merely Ntooped
down to piok it up, wken he was knocked down.
Witness had, however, previously seen him throw money
on the floor for the purpose of getting up a scuffle,
and took him into custody. The other prisoner then
came up and attempted to excite the people to get. up
a rescue. Witness, however, called for assistance, and
both of the defendants were taken to the station-house.
Turner, 189 A, was close to the defendant last night,
and saw Regnolds throw down a piece of gun-wadding,
saying it was GI, and challenwieg any one to pick it up.
Some Persons attempted it, and were pushed over by
Regnolds, Wilson assisting him. A ring was formee as
soon as Regnolds was arrested, at d Wilson urged on
several persons to rescue him. Witness found in Wil-
picked up.
eon's hard a Penny, which he admitted he had just
Inspector Richards, A division, corroborated the above
evidence, and said the audience were so annoyed at the
prisoners' conduct, that M. Jull'en was obliged to get up
and address them from the orchestra.
The prisoners having expressed their regret at what
had taken place, Mr. Bingham severely admonished
them upon their disgraceful conduct, and fined Wilson
405., or 14 days ; Regnolds was ordered to find two
scurities of 501. each, with himself in the like amount to
keep the peace for three months.