The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-16 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day.)

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Fane.)
THE FAILURE OF JOHN MARKS, THE FRAUDULENT

COACH-BUILDER.

This was an examination meeting under the bank-
ruptcy of John Marks, of Bell-street, Paddington, Long
Acre, and Melbourne, who had been convicted with two
others of concealing his ebtate and conspiring to de-
fraud his creditors.

Mr. Wilkinson, on the part of the assignees, wished
to state what bad been done under the prosecution. The
bankrupt represented he bad consigned goods to the
amount of 20,0001. to Melbourne, but it was after-
wards found that they were concealed in various Farts
of England. It elso appeared he had entered into a
conspiracy with Samuel Marks and Abraham Simmonds
to send packages of rubbish to Australia. For
this they had been convicted and sentenced to
eight years' penal servitude, a point of law
being reserved as to Samuel Marks' and Simmonds'
conviction. Since the trial a communication had been
received from Melbourne, which fully confirmed the
statemen's of the witnesses on the trial ; and it seemed
all the property which bad gone there was valued at
only 8001. or 9001. It also seemed that David Marks,
who, the bankrupt stated, was his agent, denied that
assertion. David Marks had been insolvent out
there, and his geceral creditors, to the amount of 1,2001.,
claimed to share in the 800/. or 9001. With reference to
the property sent to Sydney, valued at 12,000/., be bad
put himself into communication with the agents, who,
upon receiving indemnities, had promised to afford every
assistance. Although there was 3,0001. or 4,000/.
in hand, it would not be safe at present to make a
dividend, as these indemnities had been given. With
reference to the remaining question, he supposed that
as the bankrpupt had not filed his balance-sheet the exa-
mination should be adjourned sine die.
The bankrupt, who was brought up in custody, asked
for an adjournment for three months.
Mr. Wilkinson said if the bankrupt bad told the
whole truth he should be very glad, but the only diffi-
culty was as to the expense.

The Commissioner—Oh, that is trifling in the case of
an enormous robbery like this. Let the bankrupt
pounder about on his own accounts,

Mr. Solomon, of Finsbury-place, said it was useless
to talk of an expense of 31. or 41. when the cost of the
prosecution was 2001. He also complained of facilities
not being granted Messrs. Cooper and Heatle, tf•;e
bankrupt's accountant.
His Honour ordered an adjournment until the 31:t
of March, and the bankrupt was removed in custody.
Messrs. Butler and Canning, the creditors' accountants,
stated the liabilities at 40,0001., assets dependent on
consignments. The deficiency discovered by them, which
caused bankrupt's apprehension, amounted to 15,0001.

At the conclusion of the proceeding', tho immense
crowd who thronged the Court dispersed.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.)

RE DAVIDSON AND GORDON-THE WEST HAM DISTILLERY.

The bankrupts Davidson and Gordon, who failed
some time since for;a quarter of a million, and were sen-
tenced to two years' imprisonment on a criminal charge,
applied for their discharge from custt.dy. They were
entitled to it on the particular charges for which they
suffered, but a detainer had been lodged, as they had
not surrendered to their bankruptcy. They now pro-
mised to present a petition to do so, and the order for
discharge was made.

CRIMINAL COURT.—(This Day.)

OLD COURT.
Before Mr. Justice Erie and Mr. Jcsticc Crowder.)

MU3DEB.

Christian Saltier, aged 37, described in the calonder
as a surveyor, was placed at the bar charged with
wilful murder of Charles Thain, a cor.stable, on the high
semi, within the jurisdiction of this court. The prisoner
was also charged with robbing Mr. Ballantine, upca
whose application Thain had been sent to arrest him.
Sattler pleaded guilty to the robbery, but not guilty
to the charge of murder ; but shortly after Mr. Lilley,
who had been absent, entered the court, and who had
been engaged to defend the prisoner, stated that the
prisoner ha I pleaded guilty to the robbery under circum-
stances which induced hint to appeal to the court to be
allowed to retract that

The court having assented, the prisoner wa3 again
placed in the dock ; and in answer to the usual ques-
tions, said he wished to plead not guilty to bath charger.
Mr. Lilley then applied for the postponement of the
!nal till the Jinuary sesionr, as the prisoner had only
been committed on Friiay lest.

Mr. Bodkin, who app. arcd f.:r the prosecution, said
he should not oppose the postponement.
The Learned Judge then ordered the trial to stand
over until the nest sessions.