The Sun.
London, England, 1842-03-29 00:00:00

BANKRUPTCY OF MESSRS.
WIGNEY.

(Before J. Merrifield, C. Cooper, and W. Agree, Esqrs.)
The first meeting under the fiat issued against Messrs.
Wigney; of--Brighton, bankers, took place yesterday
morning, at the Town Hall, Brighton. The business

commenced at ten o'clock, and the room was in a short

time crowded to excess by creditors and others interested
in this business, which has been the all-engrossing topic
of conversation since the stoppage of the bank.
Mr. James, the barrister, attended for a large body of
creditors ; Mr. Sidney Walsinghain Bennett was also
present to watch the proceedings on behalf of sonic cre-
ditors ; and Mr. Wilkinson, of London, attended on the
part of the County Joint-Stock Bank, Mr. Catt, the
petitioning creditor, was in attendance, with his solici-
tors, Messrs. Furver and Hill, and Mesa's. France,
Palmer, and France, of Bedford-row, London. Mr. John
Ball was in attendance as accountant.
Mr. James then explained to the Commissioners that
his object in attending was to see that proper assignees
were appointed.
Mr. Bennett, solicitor, proposed Mr. Thos. Ward
Capps, Mr. W. Hallett, of the Bristol Hotel, Mr. Rich.
Patehing, jun., Mr. E. Robins, and Mr. W. Catt, as
assignees.

Mr. Ridley proposed Mr. Richard Patching, Mr. E.
H. Creasy, auctioneer, and Mr. Thomas West (of the
Union Bank).
Mr. James remarked, that he was afraid the assets
were not sufficient to make the responsibility of much
consequence. _

Mr. West, the banker, was objected to by Mr. Hallett,
on the alleged ground that he was cognisant of the com-
ing failure.

Mr. Hall, of the firm of Hall, West, and Boner, of
the Union Bank, said if they had been aware of that fact
thy should not have been sufferers.

.Catt, the petitioning creditor, was prepared to
prove for 2,0001.

Mr. James cross-examined Mr. Catt at great length,
in consequence of his having drawn out 900/. about a
week previous to the failure, and submitted that Mr.
Catt's claim must be reduced to 1,100/., on the ground
that an 'undue preference had been shown.
Mr. Catt said that his claim was for two deposits,
1,0001. each, and that the 9001. was a distinct deposit.
His reason for striking the docket was from mere
rumour. When he deposited the 9001. it was arranged,
under, the usual voucher, that the money should remain
in the bank three months, but he had a verbal under-
standing with Mr. Wigney, M.P., that he might be al-
lowed to draw it out earlier if he required it. The
money was returned to him in Bank of England notes
and gold, which he afterwards paid into the Union Bank.
Mr. Clement Wigney, one of the bankrupts, was called,
and confirmed Mr. Catt's statement, and, in addition, ob-
ser.ved, that other depositors had made application for the
withdrawal of their cash, but were refused, unless they
gave three months' notice.

- Mr. J. N. Wigney, M.P., the principal in the arm,
underwent a rigid examination by Mr. Bennett with re-
gard to the suspected removal of some goods from Bruns-
wick-terrace, but the bankrupt denied all knowledge of
any removal, except a few articles of wearing apparel,
belonging to himself and wife.
A discussion then took place relative to the adjourn-
ment. A statement was made by Mr. Furner, that the
sheriff, who took possession •of the things at Glasgow,
in a shawl manufactory with 'which Mr. J. N. Wigney
was connected, was forcibly ejected, under an injunction
granted by the Lord Ordinary of Scotland, at the suit
of Messrs. Holdsworth, who had made advances in the
business (in which Mr. J. N. Wigney was the only sur-
viving► partner), to the tune of 10,0001.; but the Court
of Scotland expressed some doubt whether Messrs.
Holdsworth were the legal possessors of the property.
He had granted the injunction under circumstances -of
emergency. It was further added, that the Glasgow
property might probably realise 17,0004, but the credi-
tors entertain no such hopes.
The meeting adjourned till to-morrow, at ten o'clock.
The debts proved to-day amounted to between 15,000/.
and 20,000/.