The Sun.
London, England, 1827-06-06 00:00:00

COURT OF EXCHEQUER.

THY KING V. ♦SSIONEES OF T. H. SKELTON, ♦ND OTHERS.
This was a proceeding under an extent issued
against the effects of Mrs. Skelton and her two
daughters, who were sub-distributors of stamps at
Southampton, for a debt due to the Crown. A
portion of these effects was now claimed by the
defendants, as the assignees under a commission of
bankruptcy sued out against Thos. Henry Skelton,
Mrs. Skelton, his mother, and his two sisters, who
it was alleged carried on jointly the trade of printers
and stationers. On the part of the Crown, this al-
leged partnership was denied, and the question
which the Jury had to decide was, whether in
January, 182.5, when the petitioning creditor's debt
had been contracted, T. H. Skelton had a share in
the concern. Upon this fact, the validity of the
Commission turned, and consequently the claim set
up by the defendants.
Several witnesses were called on each side, and
the Jury, after nearly an hour's deliberation, found
for the Crown.

In the course of the proceedings, which occupied
the Court nearly all the day, Mr. Park, as Counsel
for the defendants, took a legal objection to the claim
of the Crown, on the ground that a sub-distributor
of stamps had no privity with the Crown, but was
liable only to the district-distributor, by whom he
was appointed.
Mr. Baron GARROW overruled the objection, in-
timating at the same time his wish that the opinion
of the Court should be taken upon a question of
such great importance.

THAMES AND MEDWAY LIME AND
COKE COMPANY.

A Meeting of Shareholders was held at the George and
Vulture Tavern, this morning, for the purpose of receiving
the Report of the Directors on the state of the Company's
affairs. H. STONANT, Esq. in the Chair.
The minutes of the last Meeting having been read,
Mr. Moxox desired to know if any persons connected
with the Public Press were in the room ; if so, he con-
ceived they should not be permitted to remain.
Our Reporter stated that he attended to furnish a report
of the proceedings; and, haring stated his object to the
door-keeper when he entered, he conceived no objection
would be made to his presence.
Mr. Moxox—Ours is a Company which has existed for
twenty-seven years, and the public having nothing to do
with our proceedings, I consider none but Proprietors
should be present. This is not a public company.
A Reporter said it would be impossible to prevent the
proceedings from gaining publicity, if they were of suffi-
cient importance, and by voting them out partial reports
might be inserted in the public prints.
A general inclination appeared to exist that the reporters
should withdraw, and they accordingly did so.

IMMORTALITY.—Bautru, in presenting a poet
to 31. d'Hemery, addressed him, " Sir, I present
to you a person who will give you immortality;
but you must give him something to live upon in
the mean time.

SALE OF HOPS IN THE BOROUGH YES-
TERDAT.—A bona fide ready money sale of hops took
place yesterday, at the Three Tuns, in the Borough. In
consequence of the recent speculations in this article, to
which we have already alluded, this sale was more nume-
rously attended than any during the season ; and as the
sale was effected by order of the assignees of Mr. Ward
Eagle, a bankrupt, the prices which were obtained must
be taken as a fair sample of the real state of the market.—
Previous to the commencement of business, Mr. Philip
Wood, a hop factor, and brother to the Alderman, inquired
if any reporter were present, in order, as he stated, that
several false paragraphs which appeared in the Morning
Papers, particularly two which were named, might
be publicly contradicted. None answering, Mr. Wood
became valiant, and abused the absent editors, and
the journals under their controul must lustily. The
auctioneer mounted his box, and adverting to the para-
graphs alluded to, said they were unfounded, and he
believed the originated from some person in the trade, whose
object and interest it was to write in this manner, in order
to delude the public. The dealers in hops had the same
right to speculate as those in any other business, and if it
were Stopped, they might as legally close the Royal Ex-
change. Mr. Kemble (a speculator)—" Aye, and the
Stock Exchange also." The auctioneer continued—All
the accounts from Kent were most unfavourable, and he
was told by a gentleman now in the room that the fly was
extending its ravages in a dreadful manner. The sale then
proceeded :—lt consisted of 846 pockets and 113 bags of
hope, of the growth of 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821, and
1822. Those of 1818 fetched from 80s. to 565. per cwt.;
of 1819, from 40e. to 665. per cwt. ; of 1820, from 28s.
to 50e. per cwt. ; and some of the year 1822 sold for 60s.
per cwt. By these prices it will be seen that the specu-
lators themselves have no fears 'for this year's Crop. The
price charged to the public' for some' time past has been
almost double that obtained fur the best samples yesterday.