The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-12 00:00:00

ROYAL SURREY GARDENS,

AGRAND CLASSICAL CONCERT, in aid
of the Fonds of the EARLY CLOSING ASSOCIATION,
Thursday Eyening, the 19th lust. See Placards and other Adver-
tisements. JOHN LIL WALL, Hon. Sec.

0
LAW' INTELLIGENCE.—March 11.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Holroyd.)

_ -
RI THE ROYAL ERITISH BANK-EXAMINATION OP MR.

MAIER, THE GOVERNOR OF THE DANK.

This was a sitting appointed for the examination of Mr,
Edward Esdaile, the governor of the bank.
Mr. Linklater appeared for the assignees, and Mr. Ven.
ning for Mr. Esdaile.

Mr. Esdaile, examined by Mr. Linklater—My Christian
name is Edward. I am residing now in London, at my
father's house, in Bedford-plaoe; without occupation. I
was formerly a director and also governor of the Royal
British Bank. I was on its provisional committee, and
have been connected with it as a director since.
Wien did you first become a director of the bank ?—I
think it was in the early part of 1849. The exact month I
do not recollect. January or February, I dare say.
When did you become a governor of the bank?--In Feb.
ruary, 1855.
Did you continue to act as a director of the bank from
the time it commenned business in 1849 down to its close in
Sept., 1855 ?—Yes.
Examination continied—l was at no period during that

time out of the direction. I was governor from Mr. Wal.
ten's retirement from the chair, in Feb., 1855, and con-
tinued governor down to the time of the closing of the bank,
The bank commenced business on the 19th Nov., 1849.
What was the amount of subscribed capital with which
the bank started ?-50,000i.

Subscribed capital ?-100,C001.
Be kind enough to pause a little before you answer the
nextquestion. How much of that capital was paid up when
the bank commenced business?-50,0001.
Do I understand you to say that the whole sum of 50,0001.
had been actually paid up in cash before the bank com-
menced business ?—Cash or the representatives of cash.
Will you tell me how much had been paid up in cash ?
—I do not exactly recollect within a few thousands, the
balance being represented by notes of hand, which were
deemed to be equivalent to cash.

That account produoed is one that has hem prepared by
Mr. Coleman (handing an account to the witness). Will
you bo kind enough to look at it, to see whether the repre-
sentation is correct, that the actual amount subscribed in
cash up to the time when the bank commenced business was
42,7651. 6s. 5d., and no more ?—I believe that is the fact.
I cannot say, but I believe it to be so.

Was the remainder of the 50,0C2, viz., 7,2321. 13s. 7d.,
made up of the promissory notes of the several dates named
in that account ?—To the best of my belief, I was then a
junior director, and of course these things were managed
then by the governor, deputy-governor, general manager,
and solicitor.

Were you aware that before commencing the business of
the bank the act ofParliamentrequired that the whole sum
of 50,0001. should have been actually paid up?—Yes, in one
way or the other, essentially paid up.
Do I understand you to represent that you believed the
directors had complied with the requirements of the act o
Parliament ?—ln spirit.
But not in fact ?—Not in fact, if it is to be assumed that
the 50,000/. were intended to be in sovereigns or banknotes.
Will you tell me how much cash the bank had actually
at its disposal when it commenced business on the 19th of
Nov., 1849 ?—I cannot charge my recollection with the
sum.

Just look at that (handing the book to the witness.)—l
have no doubt that is correct.
I understand you to say you have no doubt the bank
book is correct ?—I can have no doubt of that.
Then you mean that the cash actually standing to the
credit of the bank in the Bank of England was 20,2501.,
and no more ?—Yes, I presume that is correct.
I observe that on the 20th and 21st of November there
are two sums of 5,6851. and 3,110/. placed to the credit of
the account with the Bank of England. Will you tell me
from what source these two sums came ?—I cannot. I have
no recollection nt all.

Have you any means of ascertaining f—No doubt I
should refer to the accounts of the bank for that informa-
tion. I have none at all.

I find on the same days, namely, on the 20th and 21st
Nov., cheques are drawn in favour of Mr. James, which
are signed by R. Hai tley Kennedy, Edward Esdaile, and
Hugh Innis Cameron. Are those two cheques signed by
you, Mr. Alderman Kennedy, and Mr. Cameron ?—They
are certainly signed by myself. I believe also by Mr. Ken-
nedy ; and that is Mr. Cameron's signature.
Can you tell me for what purpose these two cheques
Were drawn !--1 cannot. 1 have no recollection of tho cir-

cumstance.
nave youany means of gaining information on that sub-
ject ?—Not that , know of, except with reference to the
favourime.those cheques were
accountwho ibso
Mr.s ofthe
James,bankiin
wahto
st
eh a t t
drawn ?—I do not at all remember. I cannot bring the
circumstance to my recollection at all.
Do you know whether any. loan had bfoeern obtained
obsyethoef
directors of the Royal British Ban
making it appear that the account in the Bank of England
,
was larger than it actually was .—Not to my recollection.
It is a matter of considerable importance, and
you
uoutot
which one would think your memory wo
inalwe:fworitthhceertainty. I ask you again, are you not award
that the directors of the Royal British Bank borrowed
to swell up the
camc
co, tt
withan hpen
Bankrpos e oo ff paying Eng England,
to
ino
order
rcredit of their
business
to their credit at the time they com-e
mencedln usthess ?—Speaking from my recollection at this
moment, I cannot say that I do recollect the cireuwetance.