The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-19 00:00:00

will influence your Lordship's decision." Now, had the
Noble Lord,,, been guilty of a breach of good faith, did the
House think the New Zealand Company would have written
to him in these terms?—( Hear, hear.) Now this was the
case, and these were the circumstances under which this
charge was made against the Noble Lord in strong
and unmeasured terms. Why did the Honourable
Member for Cockermouth suffer the Noble Lord to
sit amongst them a whole session without taxing him
with this breach of faith? Whv did he allow the Noble Lord
to remain there a whole session without bringing forward this
matter ? The first time the Hon. Member brought the matter
forward was when the Noble Lord had gone to another House
—when the Noble Lord's back was turned.--( Cheers.) Now,
he asked whether it was fair that they should have the matter
mooted now ? But had he net satisfactorily shown that what-
ever unfortunate disputes had arisen between the Noble Lord
and the New Zealand Company, the Noble Lord had always
acted impartially and fairly in the matter ?—( Cheers. )
Mr. HUTT merely rose to correct an observation which the
Hon. and Learned Gentleman had just made. The Hon. and
Learned Gentleman said the New Zealand Company did not
bring the matter forward until after the Noble Lord's back was
turned. Now, so far from this being the case, the Committee
was only appointed in April last, on the understanding that the
Hon. Member for Cockermouth would refrain from saying one
word in the House in relation to the disputes between the
Colonial-office and the New Zealand Company.—( Hear.)
It was too late to enter into the details of the case, but had he
time, he would correct at least half a d,zen statements
which the Hon. and Learned Gentleman had made in the
course of his speech.
Captain ROUS would pledge himself, when the question of
New Zealand came before the House after Easter, that the
Noble Lord at the head of the Colonial Department
would be fully acquitted of all the charges that
had been made against him, not only in the
eyes of that House, but in those of every unbiassed individual.
—( Hear, hear.) The fact was, the character of the New Zea-
landers had been totally misunderstood by the Committee that
sat upon the subject. In 18.39 the independence of New Zea-
land was recognised by this country, and it was not until after
certain persons had formed themselves for the purpose of trading
and profit in that country, that a Captain was sent out by Eno-
land to prevent any quarrels or misunderstandings between the
people of New Zealand and the new settlers, and, as by " the
stroke of the enchanter's wand," the whole of the forests and
minerals of New Zealand were made the property of the Crown.
The New Zealander had as much right to his property as the
people of this country had, and no Company had any right to
interfere with them. Ile would undertake to prove that all
that had been done with respect to New Zealand was at vari-
ance with law, equity, and common sense.
Lord INGESTRE, having been connected with the New
Zealand Company f.ir some years, felt bound to say that the
acts of that Company had always met with his approbation,
because he was convinced that they were for the benefit of the
colony. He believed that the whale dispute bad arisen in a mis-
understanding ; but when he said that, he could not forget that
that misunderstanding had affected the Company to a great
extent in their endeavours to do good.
Mr. AGLIONBY felt bound to say a few words, in con-
sequence of his being so pointedly alluded to by the Hon. and
Learned Gentleman opposite. The Hon. and Learned Soli-
citor-General's speech was more like that of a retained advo-
case with his brief than the speech of a Member of that House.
He (Mr. Aglionby) was sorry to hear the ironical cheer with
which the Hon. Member for Liskeard was met when he said he
was connected with the New Zealand Company. There were
persons connected with that Company, as eminent as any
person sitting on the Treasury bench. The Solicitor-General
had totally misrepresented the affairs of thal Company. He
was misunderstood by the Hon. and Learned Solicitor-General
with respect to what he had stated as to the difference on the.
agreement. He had said, if there was a difference of opinion
about it, the concealment of it was wrong. If the Noble Lord
were present he should speak at more advantage, because no
man liked to listen to charges involving another in his
absence, and this was the feeling he had now to contend
against. He still maintained there was a difference between
the agreement and the instructions, and that opinion the
New Zealand Company had stated at the time, as publicly as
they could do it.
Sir ROBERT PEEL said, he felt he should declare that
the impression on his mind was one which was shared in
by the Noble Lord who had proposed the motion, and that
was, that at all events there had been no intention of decep-
tion in this matter.--( Hear.) And from all that had been
heard in explanation, from the Under-Secretary for the Home
Department, it would appear that the same feeling existed on his
part as well as on the part of several others who had since left
the House.—( Hear, hear.) On the opposite benches he be-
held some Hon. Members who, he believed, held the same
opinions, for they appeared to express assent, though three or
four of them on the front benches were members of the New
Zealand Company, and, if he mistook not, three or four of
those who sat on the second bench were also members of
the same Company.—( Laughter.) But the Hon. Member ap-
posite (Mr. Aglionby) had complained 'that while he
had been put in possession of some letters from Cap-
tain Fitzroy, there were others which had been withheld.
The Hon. Gentleman said he laboured under great disadvan-
tage because of the absence of the Noble Lord, and that had he
been present the Hon. Gentleman would have spoken with
more freedom.
Mr. AGLIONBY never said that he would have spoken
with more freedom.
Sir ROBERT PEEL—The whole of the last session th_
Hon. Gentleman had an opportunity of referring. to this sub
jest. The Committee did not examine evidence until the 23d
of May, and the second examination was in the month of June.
Surely, in moving for the appointment of the Committee, an
opportunity was afforded of challenging the conduct of the
Noble Lord.
Mr. HUTT said it was understood that, in moving for the
Committee, the question of Lord Stanley's conduct should not
have been gone into.
Sir R. PEEL—If they had thought his Noble Friend's
conduct exhibited a want of faith, the duty of Gentlemen op-
posite, to the Company, was to ask for an explanation. They
now said that such was the breach of faith which had been
exhibited by Lord Stanley, that, had they been aware of it,
they would have refused to hold communication with
his Noble Friend on the subject of the affairs of
New Zealand.—( Hear, hear.) He could not reconcile
that declaration now with the communication made to Lord
Stanley on the 29‘h of February. The New Zealand Com-
pany said, " We leave the matter in your Lordship's hands,
with entire reliance oil the benevolence and justice of your
decisions in the affairs of the Company." Mow could this be
reconciled with their conduct now ? His Noble Friend was
the natural protector of those who had a right to be protected.
He had acted on the impression that it was his duty to
do justice to the natives of New Zealand. He
(Sir R. Peel) agreed with the Hon. Member for Cocker-
mouth (Mr. Aglionby) that the members of the New Zea-
land Company were entitled to great respect, as they were
men of high honour and influence. His Noble Friend had
run the risk of offending these parties in the course he had
taken. He believed that the sense of justice in
that House and in the country would put a
fair construction on the acts of his Noble Friend.
He did, therefore, trust that those statements would go into the
country together with the observations which had been made
upon his Noble Friend.
Mr. AGLIONBY said he hoped the House would allow him
one moment for explanation, for ho was anxious that the
statement made by the Right Hon. Baronet ( Sir R. Peel)
should not go forth to the country with the mark of his high
authority without a statement of what really had occurred.
Immediately after the discussion to which the Right lion. Ba-
ronet had referred, he went to Lord Stanley, and had then ex-
plained to him the circumstances which had occurred at that
meeting; and he, therefore, thought that in this instance at
least the Company were not to blame.
Mr. MANGLES said that he should not have said a word
in this debate but to express his opinion of the tone of the
speech of the Hon. Gentleman the Solicitor-General. lie
thought that it was quite unnecessary to threw so much acid
into the debate as that Hon. Gentleman had infused into his
speech. He thought that it would have been better to have
imitated the tone and temper of his Hon. Friend the Member
for Liskeard (Mr. C. Buller); but it should be recollected
that the cheers of
,that House were not always to decide the
merits of any particular question.
Mr. RICE TREVOR would not have said a word but for
what had transpired, which had a personal reference to his
friend, Captain Fitzroy. It seemed to be imputed to him that
he had had a secret communication with Lord Stanley between
the Bth and the 12th of May. He could only say that the
communication with Lord Stanley had been on the 26th, 27th,
or 28th of June, and that there was nothing in this corres-
pondence of a clandestine character.

DARTMOUTH ELECTION COM-
MITTEE.
FOURTH DAY.
The Committee sat at Eleven o'clock yesterday.
Mr. Joseph Somes, jun., having been sworn, made deposi-
tions to the questions put him, which were in substance quite
similar to those of his brother. He recollected that his uncle
told him, about two months before the election, that he in-
tended to become a candidate, and should therefore part with
his contracts, ships, &c., and said he would part with them to
witness and his brother, which he (witness) was very glad of.
The transfer took place, and certainly was not a colourable,
but a bona fide transaction, and was to hold good, whether his
uncle lost the election or not.
Mr. Jackson, accountant, sworn—Has been employed by
Mr. Somes for two or three years. He was the largest pri-
vate ship-owner in the world. Has also kept the books of
Messrs. Somes, jun. They commenced on the Ist January of
the present year. The cash-book was then produced, and the
several entries read, and witness said that since the Ist of
January last no entry had been made in those books to the
credit of Mr. Somes, sem, or if there had it would be a mistake.
Cross-examined—The transfer of the entries from the small
books to the large ones took place about the 25th of January.
Mr. Somes, sen., said to witness that he had parted with all
his Government business, and instructed him to commence
the accounts in the name of his nephews.
AIL TALBOT then rose and said, he was happy to announce
that this part of the case had closed, and in the observations
he would take the liberty of addressing to the Committee
he would confine himself to comments on such points as he
might have thought had been omitted by his Learned Friend,
Hr. Colburn, and such other new ones as might have since
arisen ; and would conclude, by endeavouring to speak fiy
anticipation to the last words which he knew his
Learned Friends opposite would have. He would commence
by calling attention to a case now before him, which was
quite analogous to that of Mr. Somes. He then read the
case, which was in substance that of an army clothier having
transferred his contract, and an action having been taken
against him for non-fulfilment of his contract, it was decided
that the party liable was he to whom the contract had been
transferred. Ile then went OR to say that there was no evi-
dence of Mr. Somes being a contractor at the time of his
election, though he was an owner of ships, but that would
not disqualify him. It had been relied upon by the Learned
Counsel opposite, that this transfer was an occasional trans-
action. Why of course it was, but there was nothing
illegal in that ; for though an occasional qualification of a
man to a vote would not be legal, yet a man could be
qualified as a candidate for a place in Parliament upon the
day of the election, and though he had that qualification in
his pocket, with ink still wet upon it the day he went first
upon the hustings, it would be as good in law as if it had
been made out fifty years before; But all question as to Mr.
Somes being an owner of the ships even, was now set at rest
by a part of the release which he would now read, and which
appeared to have been overlooked by his Learned Friend
opposite. The Learned Counsel then read the part, which
was to the effect that the ships had been released as well as
the contracts. In addition, there was the fact of the nephews
having been bound to fulfil those contracts, and to pay to
their uncle a certain sum in consideration. It had also been
suggested by his Learned Friend, that the nephews might
have got into partnership with the uncle ; but that was im-
possible, for there was no evidence of any document in which
the nephews and uncle had undertaken a joint risk. But
even if Mr. Somes had given over all those con-
tracts and ships by a valid instrument to his ne.
phews for no consideration at all, he was perfectly at
liberty to do so, and could do so legally ; then there was the
other additional fact, that the nephews were the parties
against whom an action would be taken by-the Admiralty,
in the event of any breach of any one of those contracts.
The Learned Counsel then proceeded at great length to
contend that it was impossible for the Committee to
believe that this was a colourable transaction ; and
having gone through the whole of the evidence,
and commented upon it, he concluded by saying he
now left the case in the hands of the Committee with
great confidence, but he could not avoid saying, with some
anxiety for his clients, but whom he felt assured the Com-
mittee would never pronounce to be perjurers, or parties to a
fraudulent transaction by their decision.
Mr. Sergeant WRANORAM replied. He said that although
appeals had been made by some of his Learned Friends to the
compassion of the Committee, by alluding to the ages, and
position, and respectability of their clients, yet he knew the
Committee would totally disregard that; and he in his pre-
sent address would endeavour to discharge his duty firmly, no
matter how painful it must be to him to do so. Thequestion
then, for the Committee, and the only question was this, was
Mr. Somes a Government contractor on the 27th of Decem•
ber 1844? He contended that it lay upon Mr. Soines's counsel
to show to the satisfaction of the Committee that upon the
27th of December, " he did not derive any benefit or emolu-
ment whatever, directly or indirectly, from these contracts,"
for these were the words of the statute. He not only denied
that they had failed to prove that ; but he hoped to be able
to show the Committee, by and bye, that the converse had
been established by the evidence, First, he begged to re-
mind the Committee, that his Learned Friend, Sergeant
Kinglake, had stated from authority, that where
there was a deed inter parties, or between
parties, no release could be given by any who
were not parties to that deed, and this was a fact that
had not been attempted to be met by his Learned Friends
opposite; but that was undoubted law and unquestionable
authority, and therefore Mr. Somes, not being a party
to that deed, could not sue or be sued, or could net
give a release, or take one. It was true that, if on
the 27th of December, any sum of money passed from the
nephews to the uncle, as consideration for this transfer, then
though that might not be strict in law, still in equity there
would be a remedy ; but such was not the state of the case ;
such was not the evidence of the nephews. It had been said
in his Learned Friend's speech that those young men were so
unbusiness-like in their habits as to be totally incapable of
giving any succinct or satisfactory account of this transac-
tion; but surely he could not mean to place those young
men, who were alleged to be now the largest contractors in
the world, in that position • at least he (Sergeat Wrangham)
would not consent to such a course, although the Messrs.
Somes might not accept his advocacy. The Learned Ser-
geant then recapitulated the evidence of Mr. Frederick
'Somes, and contended that the important parts of it were at
variance with that of Mr. Lackland, as to the conversation,
in the month of December, at which any sum was stated
to be named as that which the nephews were to
pay their uncle for the contracts and ships, &c. Therefore
he would call upon the Committee to take the evidence
of the nephew, though as adverse a witness as the
petitioner could have, as that upon which they should
decide that Mr. Somes was disqualified at the
time of the election. He would first ask this ques-
tion—was there a doubt upon the mind, either of y member of the Committee or of any reasonable man, that if
Mr. Somes bad been beaten, and had gone to his nephews
and said," Oh, I have been beaten, and I therefore don't wish to give up those contracts under those circumstances," was
there a doubt, he would ask, but that the nephews
would immediately relinquish all claim to them?—(Laugh-
ter.) It was quite clear there was not, if the confidence
and good feeling represented to have existed be-
tween them really did exist. The Learned Ser
geant then went on to comment upon the non-
production of the bills of sale, which he said be did not
expect would be done ; but if they had been produced, it
would then be seen if the ships had been registered
according to the deed of transfer, and then, indeed,
that transfer would be
or disputing the fact,
dg or
bond fide contractors ;
irrevocable. He did
thatnot wish
ttho ba understoodoe3oung non wase r
odetnoybi
en
but he would ask what relevancy had that fact in any way to
the question at issue? He contended it had none whatever.
Again, then, he would contend that nothing what-
ever bad been done by Mr. Somes up to the 27th of
December that would prevent him from resuming those
contracts if he had lost the election, but that
every such step had been studiously and cautiously
postponed. Then as to the consideration ; he contended that
the very nature of it was sufficient to disqualify Mr. Somes,
because that consideration was to cover not only the
amount of debts which had been ascertained, but also
the amount of the value by estimate, which had not
been ascertained. Having dwelt upon other portions of the
evidence at great length, he concluded by insisting that it
was quite clear that Mr. Somes was a Government contrac-
tor in law and in fact on the 27th of December, 1844.
The Learned Sergeant concluded at a quarter.past Four
o'clock, when the Committee adjourned to Twelve o'clock
to-morrow (this day).

- Mr. CHARLES BULLER asked whether, after the great
carefulne-s which he had evinced to avoid any extraneous
circumstances, it Ras quite fair for the Right Honour-
able Baronet (Sir R. Peel) to refer to these documents?
The whole policy pursued by the Government towards the New
Zealand Company would come before the House after Easter,
and he would net now trespass further on the attention of the
House than by saying it would be found that the conduct of
the New Zealand Company towards the natives was humane
and generous.
Mr. MONCKTON MILNES quoted the words of Pro-
fessor Merivale, in his lectures on Political Economy, in the
University of Oxford, relative to the New Zealand Company.
Never in the history of civilised man has there occurred a
commercial undertaking in which the love of gain was made so
subordinate to every higher faculty of the human mind--never
was there any commercial undertaking so continually guided by
the laws of justice and humanity ?
Sir R. PEEL said a few words in explanation, and as,
serted that the conduct of Lord Stanley was solely actuated
by a kind feeling towards the natives ; and that the Noble
Lord had, at the same time, been desirous to discharge his
duty in a manner consistent with the interests of the New
Zealand Company.
The question was then put and carried.
THE PORTLAND VASE.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL obtained leave to bring in
a Bill for the Protection of Property contained in Public
Museums, Galleries, Cabinets, Libraries, and other Public
Repositories, from malicious injuries.
On the motion of Mr. SHAW, the following Members were
nominated as the Select Committee to inquire into the merits of
the atmospheric system of railways :—Mr. Shaw, Mr. Bingham
Baring, Lord Harry Vane, Sir George Clerk, Mr. Francis
Baring, Viscount Mahon, Sir Charles Lemon, Mr. Hawes,
Viscount Howiek, Mr. Hodgson Hinde, Mr. Morrison, Mr.
Pakington, Mr. Gibson Craig, Mr. Lascelles, and Mr. Wyse.
On the motion of Mr, AGLIONBY a return was ordered
of all claims for land preferred before the Commissioner of
Land Claims in NeW Zealand, by or on behalf of any persors
who were in 1838 missionaries, catechists, or schoolmasters of
the Church Missionary Society.
The Railway Clauses Consolidation Bill went through Com-
mittee and was ordered to be reported this day.
The Customs Duties report was brought up and received.
The other orders of the day were then agreed to, and the
House adjourned at a Quarter to Two o'Clock.

A SOCIALIST MARRIAGE.—The feelings of the re-
ligious public residing in the neighbourhood of Tottenham-
court-road, were considerably shocked by an announcement
which was extensively circulated during. the latter part of
the past week, intimating that a marriage a-la- Socialism
would come off yesterday (Sunday) morning, at the place
of meeting in John-street, belonging to the Owenites.
One of the results of the new Marriage Act has been that
this sect, under the false plea that they are a religious body,
have recently got their place licensed under that statute, and
this was the first fruits of it. A large meeting was collected
to witness the ceremony—if that may be called a ceremony
which was evidently got up for the purpose of bringing
the peculiar doctrines of this sect before parties
who could not be congregated together by any other
means. The room, which might hold about a thousand, was
three-parts full, of which number a very large proportion
were females. The proceedings were opened by a person who
was represented to be the President, delivering a short
address on the beauties of the New Moral World, and stating
that the new marriage-law, though far from being up to the
social mark, was, nevertheless, better than the old one, and
one
tei
they
partiesyh tghwoetyh
oawwneoreterhege
to
o
going nuf a more
gntdoeu use for temporary convenience
go t
blies',
newidu p
d inraorci aesns cohf a r c
matri-
monialter.
cementation then stood up, and the requirements of
the Marriage Registration Act were gone through. This
done, the real object for which the assembly was called
together was made apparent by a little matt with a pair of
spectacles standing up, and. delivering a long harangue against
all " marriages of the pnesti," all religious ceremonies, and
all the present institutions of society ; and, with this, the
melancholy farce ended.—Morning Paper.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.
LONDON, MARCH 18.—Northerly, fresh breeze and cloudy,
SHEERNESS, MARCH 17.—The Jane Easson, Bomress, from
London to Newcastle, got ashore near the Garrison Point this
morning, but came off in the afternoon without damage, and
has proceeded.
HARTLEPOOL, nitwit 16.—The Pilgrim, White, of Lon-
don, slipped her anchors at the entrance of the Tees last
night, and went ashore on the beach, north of Seaton Snook.
OFF WATERFORD.—Oxford, New York.
KINSALE, MARCH 15.—Ruby, St. John's, New Brunswick.
• liAnwictr, MARCH 15.—A brig, with topmasts about four
feet out of water at two hours' flood, lies sunk in ton fathoms
in the Swin, the sunk bearing S.W. Ve, S. about 13% miles.
CROOKITAVEN, MARCH 13.—Arrd. Asia, Gascoin, Cuba.
14. Champlain, Miller, New Orleans.
HULL, MARCH 17.—Wind N., moderate.—Arrd. St.
Thomas's packet, Peterson, St. Domingo, for Hamburgh.
WAINFLEET MARCH 17.—The Ann, Rhodes, of Hull, from
Lynn to Wakefield, ashore on Wainfleet Sand, is discharging
her cargo with damage, and is likely to be got off.
YARMOUTH, MARCH 17.—The Findlater, Dunn, from
Shields to London, was totally wrecked this morning, off
Palling—only the mate saved.
HARWICH, MARCH 17.—The Eagle, Page, of and from
Ramsgate to Seaham, was in contact to-day, in the harbour,
with the Sarah of South Shields.
CLAY., MARCH 15.--A quantity of wreckage, consisting of
a mast, bowsprit, sails, rigging, &c., some of the sails marked
" Taylor, Newcastle," have been picked up near here.
SUNDERLAND, MARCH 16.—The William Dobson, of this
port, in putting to sea, 14th inst., struck the Bar heavily, and
has put into Shields leaky.
RAMSAY, Ixt.x op MAN MARCH 15.—The Margaret and
south but expected off with little damage.
Ann, of Douglas, ashore
near hers, has been got off without
damage. The John and Margaret, Cowan, is ashore behind
the -pier,
DEAL, MAactt 17.—Wind moderate.—Arrd.
Camilla, Lawson, Ichaboe, for Leith ; Till, ditto. Sld.
Zephyr, Cape and Valparaiso ; Candidate, Barbadoes ; St.
Croix, Honduras; New Zealand, Jamaica; Clyde and Lady
Caroline, St. John's, New Brunswick.
PLYMOUTH, MARCH 17.—Wind N.E.—Arrd. Louisa Camp-
bell, London, for
.New Zealand.
PENZANCE
wind-bound vessels a "
various parts_of the
Bay. , MARCH 16.—Wind
re bringing up fresh.—Se'reral
in
CARRORORGII, MARCH 15.—A piece of board, painted
green, marked " Shepherd," was picked up on the 13th Mat.,
one mile to the southward.
PORTLAND, MARCH 16.—The Joseph and Elizabeth, of
Goole, with stone, was driven ashore in yesterday's gale a
little to the westward of the Castle, on soft ground, bat is
expected off without much damage if the weather mode-
rates. The barque Lee is also ashore, but expected off next
tide.

SIIEEnNEss, MARCH 15.—Artd. Carrs, London, for Sea-
ham, with damage, having been in contact below Gravesend,
with the Theresa, Fawcett.
LIVERPOOL, MARCH 17.---Wind N.N.E., moderate.—krrd.
Dumfriesshire, Davies, Mobile ; Paul Jones, New York ; Hi-
bernia steamer, Hewitt, Boston, left Ist inst., Halifax 3d.
Sld. Bellona, Montreal. Off, Susannah Collings, Corsair,
Cynosure, and Betsy. The Cyrus, hence to the Havannah,
was wrecked on Cayo Verde, near Neuevitas, Cuba, prior to
the 15th ult. ; crew saved. The Lord Ashburton, nearly
loaded, took tire at Charleston, 20th ult., and was scuttled ;
600 or 700 bales of cotton supposed to be damaged. The
Curlew, from Havannah to Cienfuegos, was totally lost on
the Jordines, Dec. 26, crew saved. The Coromando, hence
to Boston, was abandoned at sea Jan. 11, in a sinking state;
crew saved by the Brothers, arrived at Halifax. The Dun-
can, Robertson, from Clyde to Savannah, was wrecked on
Cape Sable, prior to 22d ult crew saved.

In consequence of the recent notorious malpractices
at a gambling-house in Canterbury, the magistrates have
issued an order for the suppression of all kinds of gaming,
and announced their intention of prosecuting persons either
guilty of it themselves or allowing it by others.—Dover
Telegraph.

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 19, 1845.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
HOUSE OF LORDS, March 18.
The House sat to-day to hear appeals. The Peers
present were—the Lord Chancellor, Lord Brougham,
and Lord Campbell.

THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND V. M`GREQDR.
The further arguments in this part-hoard Scotch ap.
peal were resumed and concluded to-day.
Their Lordships postponed their judgment.

ROLLS' COURT, Aiwa 18.
The Master of the Rods wa, occupied the whole day
with the part-heard case of Ambles v. the Lancaster
RtAilway Company, the arguments on which were not
concluded.

VICE-CHANCELLORS' COURTS, March 18.
Nothing of any interest occurred in any of the Vice
ChaliceHors' Courts.

SHERIFFS' COURT, March 18.
Several causes were heard this morning, but none of them
possessed any point of interest whatever to the public.

COURT OF RA.NK kUPTCY, March 18.
(Before Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD.)
Ax ACTRESS LET Tnourstx.—This day Miss Prescott Ward,
the well-known comedian at the metropolitan and provincial
theatres, applied for her interim order. She described herself
as Eugenie Bass, common Iv called Eugenie Prescott Ward, for-
merly of Ash Cottage, Old Brompton, and late of 36, Half-
moon-street, Piccadilly, comedian, out of engagement. The
insolvent was opposed by a fashionable milliner for having
obtained a dress in the name of Miss Johnson, the creditor
swearing that if he had known that she was Miss Ward, the
actress, he would not have trusted her. Her debts in the
whole amounted to 2171. 10s. 2d., and she claims excepted ar-
ticles of the estimated value of 19/. 18s. She has no assets what-
ever. Her insolvency is ascribed to her having been for a
lengthened time out of an engagement, during which time
she states that she was supported by gifts from her brother-
in-law, Mr. Elderton, Secretary to the Commissioners of
Police, and other members of her family. The Court granted
her an order, but intimated that her petition would be dis-
missed when she came up for her final order if it was proved
she had obtained goods by fraudulent representations from
the opposing creditor. The case excited a good deal of in-
terest, and numerous theatricals were in atttendance.