BLOODWORTH, CHARLES (trading as C. Bloodworth and Co.), Nottingham, lace manu- CARLYON, CHARLES HUGH, Kenwyn, farmer. Ct. Truro. Pet. March 31. Order, DAVIES, EBENEZER (trading as Davies Brothers), Llanelly, builder. Ct. Carmarthen. Pet. March 31. Order, March 31. DIXON, JOHN LAURENCE, Sheffield, grocer. Ct. Sheffield. Pet. March 29. Order, March 29. ELIOT, BICHARD FFOLLIOTT, and ELIOT, GEORGE EDWARD (trading as Eliot, Pearce, and Co.), Weymouth, bankers. Ct. Dorchester. Pet. March 30. Order, March 30. GARDINER, JAMES WILLIAM, Birmingham, baker. Ct. Birmingham. Pet. March 24. Order, March 24. HARRISON, ARTHUR, Lincoln, corn merchant. Ct. Lincoln. Pet. March 30. Order, March 30. KILVINGTON, JOHN THOMAS, Redcar, late wine merchant. Ct. Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough. Pet. March 27. Order, March 27. POWER, JOSEPH, Derby, leather dealer. Ct. Derby. Pet. March 31. Order, March 31. RUDD, WILLIAM, Liverpool, grocer. Ct. Liverpool. Pet. March 24. Order, March 31. Pet. March 30. To surrender at the High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. JACKSON, JOHN (trading as J. Jackson and Co.), Hatton-grdn, Holborn, clock dealer, Pet. March 12. Order, April 2. MITCALF, S. W., Shaftesbury rd, Hammersmith, commission agent. Pet. March 9. Order, March 31. NASSIF, PAUL, Copthall-bldgs. Pet. Feb. 15. Order, March 31. SANDES, ALFRED F., Cowcross-st, paper agent. Pet. Feb. 23. Order, April 1." Order, To surrender at their respective District Courts. ALLANSON, JOHN BATH, Carnarvon, solicitor. Ct. Bangor. Pet. April 3. Order1 April 3. AGARS, THOMAS, Leigh, watchmaker. Ct Bolton. Pet April 2. Order, April 2. BETTESWORTH, FREDERICK WILLIAM (trading as F. Williams and Co), Cambridge, confectioner. Ct. Cambridge. Pet. April 1. Order, April 1. CUNNINGHAM, WILLIAM THOMAS, Cardiff, grocer. Ct. Cardiff. Pet. March 31. Order, March 31. COOKE, WALTER, late Congleton, innkeeper. Ct. Macclesfield. Pet. April 2. Order, April 2. CHARLTON, BROTHERS, Newcastle-on-Tyne, corn merehants. Ct. Newcastle-on-Tyne. Pet. March 15. Order, April 3. COLLINS, WILLIAM, Plymouth, horse dealer. Ct. Plymouth and East Stonehouse. Pet. April 1. Order, April 1. DICKSON, GEORGE ARTHUR, Heslington, farmer. Ct. York. Pet. April 1. Order, April 1. ELVIN, ALFRED ARTHUR, Thetford, engineer's flitter. Ct. Norwich. Pet. April 3. Order, April 3. GRIFFITH, WILLIAM, Menai Bridge, butcher. Ct. Bangor. Pet. April 1. Order, April 1. GIBBS, FRANCIS WILLIAM, Northampton, shoe manufacturer. Ct. Northampton. Pet. April 2. Order, April 2. HARDING, ELIZABETH, Warrington, draper, widow. Ct. Warrington. Pet. April 3. Order, April 3. JOHNSON, WILLIAM SAMUEL, Mansfield, draper. Ct. Nottingham. Pet. April 2. KNILL, FRANK ALBERT, Ilfracombe, coachbuilder. Ct. Barnstaple. Pet. April 1. LESTER, MARY ANN, Dover, saddler, widow. Ct. Canterbury. Pet. April 1. April 1. Order, LEESON, HELEN, Liverpool. spinster. Ct. Liverpool. Order, April 1. MORGAN, JOHN, Small Heath, builder. Ct. Birmingham. Pet. April 2. April 2. Order, MILLER, GEORGE, Great Yarmouth, tobacconist. Ct. Great Yarmouth. March 23. Order, April 2. Pet. MAKEPEACE, SAMUEL, Leicester, framework knitter. Ct. Leicester. Pet. April 1. ROBERTS, HENRY LLOYD, Llanddeiniolen, farmer. Ct. Bangor. Pet. April 2. Order, Ct. Kingston-upon WILSON. GEORGE, Stannington, late hatter. Ct. Sheffield. Pet. Feb. 25. Order, April 1. WILLIAMS, THOMAS FREDERICK, Wellington, commercial traveller. Ct. Taunton. Pet. April 3. Order, April 3. WILLIAMS, JOHN, Mountain Ash, tea merchant. Ct. Aberdare. Pet. April 1. Order, April 1. WEBBER. AMBROSE, Wellingborough, coffee-house keeper. Ct. Northampton. Pet. March 31. Order, March 31. FIRST MEETINGS AND PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS. ATTWATER, ALEXANDER HENLEY, Aldgate High-st, architect. Ct. High Court. Meeting. April 12, at 2.30, at Bankruptcy-blogs. Exam. May 5, at 11.30, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. Meeting, ANDERSON, JAMES, Barnoldswick. auctioneer. Ct. Bradford. Yorks. Hull. Swansea. Sheffield. Meeting, CADMAN, W., late Wrexham. teadealer. Ct. Wrexham. Meeting. April 9, at noon, at MCKIM, JOHN LAING, Cannon-st, company promoter. Ct. High Court. Meeting, MANNING, ALFRED, late Kidderminster, grocer. Ct. Kidderminster. Meeting, April 9, at 11, at offices of H. G. Ivens, High-st, Kidderminster. Exam. April 23, at 2.15, at Townhall, Kidderminster. NELSON. PHILIP, Wigan, assurance superintendent, Ct. Wigan. Meeting, April 13, at 11, at 16, Wood-st, Bolton. Exam. April 15, at 1C 45. at Court-house, Wigan PERCEVAL. HUGH SPENCER DUDLEY, St. James's-sq. Ct. High Court. Meeting, April 14, at 11, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. Exam. May 14, at 11.30, at Bankruptcybldgs. PLUMPTON, ALFRED WILLIAM EDWARD, Torriano-av, Camden Town, musical director. Ct. High Court. Meeting, April 12, at 2.30, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. Exam. May 14, at 1 30, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. PORTER, HENRY FRANCIS, Eastcheap, commercial traveller. Ct. High Court. Meeting, April 12, at 11, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. Exam. May 14, at 11.30, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. RANDALL. WILLIAM, Ashford, cycle maker. Ct. Canterbury. Meeting April 9, at 9 at office of Off. Rec. Canterbury. Exam. April 9, at 10, at Guildhall, Canterbury. SHAUL, BENJAMIN (trading as Goodspeed and Co., the West End Fish and Poultry Stores, and the Central Fish and Poultry Stores), Folkestone, grocer. Ct. Canterbury. Meeting, April 9, at 3.50, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. Exam. April 29, at 10, at Guildhall, Canterbury. SETON, ANDREW RAMSAY WILMOT, Cornwall-grdns, South Kensington, clerk in holy orders. Ct. High Court. Meeting. April 15, at noon, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. Exam. May 4, at 11.30, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. SNEAD, HARRY SEYMOUR (trading as Henry Snead), Great Titchfield-st, Oxford-st, Ct. High Court. WILLIAMS. THOMAS WILLIAM. St. Leonards-on-Sea, leather seller. Ct. Hastings. Meeting, April 9, at 3, at 24. Railway-approach, London Bridge. Exam. April 13, at noon, at Townhall, Hastings. WIGG, SAMUEL LEGGETT, Welby, general-shop keeper. at 3, at office of Off. Rec. Norwich. Exam. April 14. at 11, at Shirehall, Norwich. WHEATLEY, GEORGE. Gainford, wine merchant. Ct. Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough. Meeting, April 9, at 12.15, at Station hotel, York. Exam. April 14, at 10.30, at Court-house, Stockton-on-Tees. WILLIAMS. JOAN (otherwise Joan Taiesydd Williams), late Wrexham, licensed victualler. Ct. Wrexham. Meeting, April 9. at 11.30, at the Priory, Wrexham. Exam. April 13, at noon, at County hall. Wrexham. YOUNGJOHNS, HARRY, Kidderminster, clothier. Ct. Kidderminster. Meeting, April 9, at 11.20, at offices of H. G. Ivens, High-st, Kidderminster. Exam. April 23, at 2.18, at Townhall, Kidderminster. GAZETTE, APRIL 6. AGARS, THOMAS, Leigh, watchmaker. Ct. Bolton. Meeting, April 14, at 11.30, at 16, Wood-st. Bolton. Exam. April 26, at 11, at Court-house, Bolton. BRUNETTI, HENRY AUGUSTIN, Seething-la, wine merchant. Ct. High Court. Meeting, April 13, at 2.30, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. Exam. May 5, at noon, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. BETTESWORTH. FREDERICK WILLIAM (trading as F. Williams, and Co.), Cambridge, confectioner. Ct. Cambridge. Meeting, April 14, at 10, at office of Off. Rec. Cambridge. Exam. April 14, at 11, at Guildhall, Cambridge. BRUNION, JOHN, Hoole, nursery gardener. Ct. Chester. Meeting. April 13, at 11.30, at Crypt-chmbrs, Eastgate-row, Chester. Exam. May 4, at 11, at the Castle, Chester. Ct. Lincoln. Meeting. April 13, at 11.30, at office of Off. Rec. Lincoln. Exam. April 13, at 3, at Sessions-house, Lincoln. BARTON, FRANK CHARLES, and BARTON, WALTER (trading as Barton Brothers), Newport, builders. Ct. Newport and Ryde. Meeting, April 14, at noon, at 19. Quay-st, Newport. Exam. April 26, at noon, at Court-house. Newport. BUTLER, RICHARD, Christchurch, farmer. Ct. Poole. Meeting, April 13, at 1, at office of Off. Rec. Salisbury. Exam. May 12, at noon, at Townhall, Poole. CARTER, CHARLES WILLIAM, Gratton-rd, West Kensington Park, solicitor. Ct. High Court. Meeting, April 13, at noon, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. Exam. May 5, at noon, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. BROWN. FREDERICK, Lincoln, late shopkeeper. CROMPTON, ANNIE (trading as William Crompton), Leigh, ironmonger, widow. Ct. Bolton. Meeting, April 14, at 11, at 16, Wood-st, Bolton. Exam. April 26, at 11, at Court-house, Bolton. CLARKE, WILLIAM (trading as G. Clarke and Sons). Beckenham, builder. Ct. Croydon. Meeting, April 15, at 11.30, at 24, Railway-approach, London Bridge. Exam. May 12, at 11, at County Court, Croydon. CATTERICK, JOHN, Jarrow, baker. Ct. Newcastle-on-Tyne. Meeting, April 14, at noon, at office of Off. Rec. Newcastle-on-Tyne. Exam. April 22, at 11.30, at County Court, Newcastle-on-Tyne. COOPER, THEOPHILUS, Coleford, Colliery proprietor. Ct. Newport, Mon. Meeting. April 14. at 12.30. at office of Off. Rec. Newport. Exam. April 27, at 10, at Townhall, Newport. CLAYTON, FREDERICK JAMES, Mexborough, grocer. Ct. Sheffield. Meeting, April 14, at noon, at office of Off. Rec. Sheffield. Exam. April 22, at 3, at County Courthall, Sheffield. CRESSY, JOHN HENRY, late Cheadle, commercial traveller. Ct. Stockport. Meeting, April 13, at 10.15, at office of Off. Rec. Stockport. Exam. April 29, at 10.15, at Court-house, Stockport. CARLYON, CHARLES HUGH, Kenwyn, farmer. Ct. Truro. Meeting. April 15, at noon, at office of Off. Rec. Truro. Exam. April 24, at 11.45, at Townhall, Truro. CLARKSON, ENOCH, Walsall, basket manufacturer. Ct. Walsall. Meeting, April 15, at 11, at office of Off. Rec. Walsall. Exam. April 15, at ncon, at Court-house, Walsall. DODSWORTH, E. F., late Ludlow. gentleman. Ct. High Court. Meeting, April 13, GARDINER, JAMES WILLIAM, Birmingham, baker. Ct. Birmingham. Meeting, HOWARD, WILLIAM ALBERT (trading as Howard Bros.). Coldharbour-la, Brixton, builder. Ct. High Court. Meeting, April 13, at 11, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. Exam. May 13, at noon, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. HOWELL, EDWARD CHRISTOPHER, Offmore Vale, licensed victualler. Ct. Cardiff. Meeting, April 14, at 11.30, at office of Off. Rec. Cardiff. Exam. April 23, at 10, at Townhall, Cardiff. HARRISON, ARTHUR, Lincoln, corn merchant. Ct. Lincoln. Meeting, April 13, at 12.30, at office of Off. Rec. Lincoln. Exam. April 13, at 5, at Sessions-house, Lincoln. HUGHES, EDWARD, Aberystwith, innkeeper. Ct. Aberystwith. Meeting, April 27, at noon, at Townhall, Aberystwith. Exam. April 27, at 12.30, at Townhall, Aberystwith. IBBITSON, HENRY HARDAKER, and IBBITSON, JOHN FREDERICK WILLIAM, Yeadon, cloth manufacturers. Ct. Leeds. Meeting, April 14, at 11, at office of Off. Rec. Leeds. Exam. April 27, at 11, at County Court-house, Leeds. JOHNSON, THOMAS WILLIAM, South Shields, plumber Ct. Newcastle-on-Tyne. Meeting, April 14. at 11.30, at office of Off. Rec. Newcastle-on-Tyne. Exam. April 22, at 11.30, at County Court, Newcastle-on-Tyne. KNILL, FRANK ALBERT, Ilfracombe, coachbuilder. Ct. Barnstaple. Meeting, April 13, at 10.30, at office of Sanders and Son, Barnstaple. Exam. April 15, at 2, at Bridge-hall, Barnstaple. LEE, GEORGE FREDERICK (late trading as Lee and Hancock), Sydney-st, Chelsea, electrical engineer. Ct. High Court. Meeting, April 13, at noon, at Bankruptcybldgs. Exam. May 21, at 11.30, at Bankruptcy-bldgs. MORRIS, GEORGE HENRY, and MORRIS, BERTRAM, Whyteleafe, fly proprietors. Ct. Croydon. Meeting, April 13, at 11.30, at 24, Railway-approach, London Bridge. Exam. May 12, at 11, at County Court, Croydon. MONTAGU, ALGERNON SYDNEY, Brighton, captain in the navy. Ct. Dorchester. Meeting, April 13, at 12.30, at office of Off. Rec. Salisbury. Exam. April 30, at 12.15, at County-hall, Dorchester. MATON, JOHN, Hungerford, late butcher. Ct. Newbury. Meeting, April 14, at 2.30, at office of Off. Rec. Newbury. Exam. April 14, at 12.30, at Court-house, Newbury. MEREDITH, THOMAS, Stourbridge, fruiterer. Ct. Stourbridge. Meeting. April 22, at 1.50, at office of C. H. Collis, Stourbridge. Exam. April 22, at 2.30, at Courthouse, Stourbridge. NOAKES, ARTHUR, Wadhurst, farmer. Ct. Tunbridge Wells. Meeting, April 14, at 12.45, at office of C. J. Parris Tunbridge Wells. Exam. May 14, at 2.30, at Townhall, Tunbridge Wells. POWER, JOSEPH, Derby, leather dealer. Ct. Derby. Meeting, April 14, at 11, at office of Off. Rec. Derby. Exam. May 11, at 11, at Court-house, Derby. ROBERTS, THOMAS, Birmingham, club steward. Ct. Birmingham. Meeting, April 15, at noon, at 23, Colmore-row, Birmingham. Exam. April 30, at 2, at County Court, Birmingham. ROUSSELL, GEORGE, Rhondda Valley, coalminer. Ct. Pontypridd. Meeting, April 13, SHEPPARD, SAMUEL, late Curdworth, farmer. Ct. Birmingham. Meeting April 14, SEELEY, FRANCIS HENRY, Cardiff, licensed victualler. STANDEN, HARRY HENRY, Retford, tobacconist. Ct. Lincoln. Meeting, April 13, TEASDALE, THOMAS, Middlesbrough, cart builder. Ct. Stockton-on Tees and Middles- WHITE. CHARLES, Kingsand, builder. Ct. Plymouth and East Stonehouse. Meeting, April 13, at 11, at 10, Athenæum-ter, Plymouth. Exam. April 13, at 1, at Townhall, East Stonehouse. WILLIAMS, JOHN, Portmadoc, butcher. Ct. Portmadoc and Blaenau Festiniog. WAINE, ARTHUR FREDERICK (trading as Frederick Waine and Co.), Bristol, wine ADJUDICATIONS. GAZETTE, APRIL 2. ABSOLON, GEORGE, Lowestoft, farmer. Ct. Great Yarmouth. Order, March 29. BARTON, FRANK CHARLES, and BARTON. WALTER (trading as Barton Brothers),, CLEAR, JOHN, Old Serjeants'-inn, Chancery-la, solicitor. Ct. High Court. Order, CALLAGHAN, HUGH CALVERT (trading as the Anglo-Caspian Oil Company), Cardiff, oil merchant. Ct. Cardiff. Order, March 30. CASTLE, ISAAC, Oxford, builder. Ct. Oxford. Order, March 29. COTTRELL, ROBERT, Eglwysilan, builder. Ct. Pontypridd. Order, March 30. DIXON, JOHN LAURENCE, Sheffield, grocer. Ct. Sheffield. Order, March 29. LEE, GEORGE FREDERICK (late trading as Lee and Hancock), Sydney-st, Chelsea, electrical engineer. Ct. High Court. Order, March 30. MAITLAND, CHARLES (late trading as Maitland and Thomas), Kingston-on-Thames, factor. Ct. Kingston. Order, March 31. NELSON, PHILIP, Wigan, assurance superintendent. Ct. Wigan. Order, March 29. PRICE. GEORGE WATKIN (trading as Price and Co), Hay, grocer. Ct. Hereford. SMITH, GEORGE BROWN, Bognor, late grocer. Ct. Brighton. Order, March 31. STEELE, THOMAS (trading as the Rupert Brewery Company), Liverpool, brewer. Ct. Liverpool. Order, March 30. WIGG, SAMUEL LEGGETT, Wilby, carpenter. Ct. Ipswich. Order, March 30. WOODALL, WALTER, Wells-next-the-Sea, tailor. Ct. Norwich. Order, March 29. GAZETTE, APRIL 6. AGARS, THOMAS, Leigh, watchmaker. Ct. Bolton. Order. April 2. BETTESWORTH, FREDERICK WILLIAM (trading as F. Williams and Co.), Cambridge, confectioner. Ct. Cambridge. Order, April 1. BUTLER, JOHN, late Widnes, grocer. Ct Liverpool. Order, April 2. DADSWELL, JOSEPH, jun., Maidstone, grocer. Ct. Maidstone. Order, March 31. ELVIN, ALFRED ARTHUR, Thetford, engineer's fitter. Ct. Norwich. Order, April 3. March 30. GRAY, ROBERT THOMAS, Southsea, post-office clerk. Ct. Tortsmouth. April 1. Order, Orde", HARDING, ELIZABETH, Warrington, draper, widow. Ct. Warrington. Order, April 3. JOHNSON, WILLIAM SAMUEL, Mansfield, draper. Ct. Nottingham. Order, April 2. KNILL, FRANK ROBERT, Ilfracombe, coachbuilder. Ct. Barnstaple. Order, April 1. MCKIM, JOHN LAYNG (described in receiving order as John Laing McKim), Cannon-st, company promoter. Ct. High Court. Order, April 1. MAKEPEACE, SAMUEL, Leicester, framework knitter. Ct. Leicester. Order, April 1. ROBERTS, HENRY LLOYD, Llanddeiniolen, farmer. Ct. Bangor, Order, April 2. ROBERTS, THOMAS, Birmingham, club steward. Ct. Birmingham. Order, April 1. SHEPPARD, SAMUEL, late Curd worth, farmer. Ct. Birmingham. Order March 22. SHERWOOD, ISAAC, jun., and SHERWOOD, FREDERICK (trading as Isaac Sherwood and Sons and the English Petroleum Lamp Company), Birmingham, lamp manufacturers. Ct. Birmingham. Order, March 29. SMITH, FRANCIS HENRY PERCY (described in receiving order as Frank Smith), Telegraph-st, commission agent. Ct. High Court. Order, April 3. STANDEN, HARRY HENRY, Retford, tobacconist. Ct. Lincoln. Order, March 31. TAVERNER, JOHN PONSFORD, late South Audley-st, florist. Ct. High Court. Order, March 31. TUCKETT, JOHN, Exeter, bellhanger. Ct. Exeter. Order, April 2. TEASDALE, JOSEPH SHILLITO, Kingston-upon-Hull, cornfactor. Ct. Kingston-uponHull. Order, April 2. THOMPSON, WILLIAM, Nottingham, tailor. Ct. Nottingham. Order, April 1. WADE, GEORGE, late Oberstein-rd, St. John's Hill, contractor. Ct. High Court. Order, April 1. WILLIAMS, JOHN, Mountain Ash, tea merchant. Ct. Aberdare. Order, April 1. WRAIGHT, LEONARD, late Finglesham, dealer. Ct. Canterbury. Order, March 31. WEBBER, AMBROSE, Wellingborough, coffee-house keeper. Ct. Northampton. Order, March 31. WHEATLEY, GEORGE. Gainford, wine merchant. Ct. Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough. Order, March 31. WILLIAMS, THOMAS FREDERICK, Wellington, commercial traveller. Ct. Taunton. Order, April 3. Winding-up of Companies. THE COMPANIES ACTS 1862 TO 1890. COOLGARDIE CONSOLIDATED GOLD MINES LIMITED, Fenchurch-st. Meeting, April 9, BRITISH EXPLORATION COMPANY LIMITED, Bishopsgate-st Within. Ct. High Court. NOTICES OF INTENDED DIVIDENDS. GAZETTE, APRIL 2. Last day for proofs, CITY OF MELBOURNE BANK LIMITED, Bishopsgate-st Within. Ct. High Court. Last GAZETTE, APRIL 6. Last day for proofs, INWOOD AND CO. LIMITED, Cottenham-rd, Holloway. Ct. High Court. Last day for proofs, April 20. Liquidator, Edward Hobbs, Jewry House, Old Jewry. UNIQUE TIME TABLE COMPANY LIMITED, Birmingham. Ct. Birmingham. Last day for proofs, April 23. Liquidator, Luke Jesson Sharp, Whitehall-chmbrs, 23, Colmore-row, Birmingham. NOTICE OF RELEASE OF LIQUIDATOR, AGRICULTURAL SUPPLY AND MILLING COMPANY LIMITED, Bristol. Ct. Bristol, BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. BIRTH. WRAGG. On the 27th Feb., at 76, Elizabeth-st, Manchester, the wife of Edmund Arthur Windridge Wragg, Solicitor, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. CARDEN-RIPPON.-On the 3rd inst., at St. Jude's Church, Southsea, Col. William J. GRANT SMITH.-On the 3rd inst.. at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane-st, James William ADAMSON.-On the 4th inst., at 21, Jevington-grdns, Eastbourne, Travers Adamson. HICKMAN. On the 27th ult, at Harley-st, W., after four years of suffering, William JOY.-On the 30th ult., at Belvedere-ter, Tunbridge Wells, Catherine Anne, widow of COMMERCIAL FAILURES AND BILLS OF SALE. According to Stubbs' Weekly Gazette, the number of failures in England and Wales gazetted during the week ending the 3rd April was 161. The number in the corresponding week of last year was 169, showing a decrease of 8. The number of bills of sale in England and Wales registered at the Queen's Bench for the week ending the 3rd April was 140. The number in the corresponding week of last year was 141. HAS CREATED A WORLD-WIDE REPUTATION IN A SHORT TIME. To Readers and Correspondents. HENRY R. DANIEL.-Your questions amount to "a case for opinion "--which we never insert. T. E. BROWN.-No charge is made for questions, but they are not replied to editorially -only by other correspondents. All communications must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Anonymous communications are invariably rejected. All communications intended for the Editorial Department should, in order to prevent delay, be addressed to the "EDITOR OF THE LAW TIMES." Advertisements, orders for papers, &c., should be kept distinct, and addressed to the Publisher, Mr. HORACE Cox, "Law Times" Office, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. The volumes of the LAW TIMES and of the LAW TIMES REPORTS are strongly and uniformly bound at the office, as completed, for 5s. 6d. for the Journal, and 5s. for the Reports. Portfolios for preserving the current numbers of the LAW TIMES, price 5s. 6d. ; LAW TIMES REPORTS, price 3s. 6d. The Publisher undertakes the binding of the LAW TIMES and LAW TIMES REPORTS at the following rates: Per Volume. LAW TIMES, in half calf, office pattern 58. 6d. LAW TIMES REPORTS, ditto, ditto 5s. Od. Parcels of volumes for binding should be sent to the Publisher, LAW TIMES Office Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C., by whom they will be returned in abou a fortnight bound. TO ADVERTISERS. SCALE OF CHARGES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. Four lines of thirty words, or less than thirty words, in body type......... 3s. 6d. 08. 6d. For three insertions a reduction of 10 per cent.; for six insertions a reduction of 20 per cent. Advertisers whose reference is under initials to this office should remit 6d. additional to defray postage in transmitting replies to their Advertisements. Advertisements must reach the office not later than five o'clock on Thursday afternoon, and must be accompanied by a remittance. Post-office Orders payable to HORACE COX. Just published, demy 12mo., price 2s. 6d., New Edition of NEWTON'S PATENT LAW and PRACTICE, including the Registration of Designs and Trade Marks. This work is designed to serve as a reference manual for Patent Agents, with respect to the practice established under the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Acts; as a compendium of the Patent Laws for the use of Solicitors; and as a legal and commercial guide to inventors and manufacturers interested in Patent Rights. New Chapters on Copyright have been added. HORACE COX, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. CRIMINAL LAW AND THE JURISDICTION OF MAGISTRATES. - Quarter Sessions-Lord Justice Lopes on Criminal Appeals...... 558 SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE. SEAWARD v. PATERSON.-Contempt THE 215 222 of RATATA.-Damage-Duty harbour authority-River Ribble navigation-Efficient tug--Crew of chartered tug servants of harbour authority.... 224 Estate 228 Re THE CONTINENTAL OXYGEN COM- Vol. CII.-No. 2820, 561 COUNTY COURTS. — Sittings of the Courts-The Jubilee of the County Courts-Friendly Society: Nominations: Revocation; Payment to a 558 Nominee Validity... PROCEEDINGS AFFECTING THE PROFESSION GENERAL INTELLIGENCE. A Movement in English Legal EducationUnclaimed Stock and Dividends in the Bank of England-Heirs-atLaw and Next of Kin-Appointments under the Joint Stock Winding-up Acts-Creditors under Estates in Chancery Creditors under 22 & 23 Vict. c. 35 561 LAW SOCIETIES.-General Council of the Bar: Annual Statement, 1896-97 Incorporated Law Society: Victoria Pension Fund-Solicitors' BenevoJent Hardwicke Society-Union Society of London -Solicitors' Managing Clerks Association... The Law and the Lawyers. 'CRITICISM," Lord HALSBURY, "is the salt of the says administration of justice." We should spoil this if we added one word of comment. HILARY Sittings came to an end on the 14th inst. Easter Sittings begin on the 28th. The sittings just closed saw the withdrawal of eight judges for several days from their ordinary duties, contributing, with the Winter Assizes to great stagnation in the Queen's Bench Division. The Court of Appeal not only exhausted their list, but took cases entered since the commencement of the sittings. AT Derby last week the LORD CHANCELLOR applied the cold douche to the enthusiasts who favour a large extension of County Court jurisdiction. We do not, however, take back a single point which we have conceded; because we made extension of jurisdiction dependent upon increased efficiency of the courts themselves. The LORD CHANCELLOR puts most forcibly the arguments in favour of keeping things as they are. He sees that the increasing business-not in his view a subject of congratulation-is as much as the judges can manage. He did not call them "inferior" judges-but "other" judges: the old consummate tact. They do not work in the glare of publicity; they are not salted with constant criticism. Any step forward must be taken only after grave deliberation and consideration. It is difficult to answer this until some of the reforms of County Court procedure which our correspondents suggest are carried. WE candidly acknowledge the initial difficulty attending the proposed extension. It is in the power of no functionary to be a greater tyrant than a County Court judge deciding cases which are not appealable. To keep the human mind impartial on the judgment-seat, the controlling influences of an intelligent and fearless Bar are essential. Publicity and concurrent criticism are the salt without which a judge loses his savour. To withdraw important suits from the High Court where all these safeguards exist, to transfer them to tribunals where such safeguards are all absent, is the difficulty. NEVERTHELESS, it is necessary to repeat what we have frequently said, that any alternative almost is to be preferred to the continuance of a High Court, defective in constitution, incumbered with a complex and faulty procedure, which does not do the common law work of the country satisfactorily either in London or the provinces, and in which, as a result, the business shows a steady and unvarying decline. AFTER great and careful consideration the Bar Council has formulated a Rule of the Profession with respect to retainers. By virtue of the retainer rules already in existence counsel who has drawn pleadings or advised or accepted a brief during the progress of an action on behalf of any party is entitled to a brief at the trial. The Council now lay it down that, when a brief is offered or delivered to any counsel, and he finds that another counsel has become entitled to a brief and has not been briefed, such first-named counsel ought, where practicable, to ascertain from the solicitor offering or delivering such brief whether there is any sufficient explanation why a brief has not been offered or delivered to such other counsel, and unless a satisfactory explanation is given ought to refuse or return the brief. What is to be considered a sufficient explanation is the difficulty. For our part it is inconceivable that counsel should insist upon any rule resulting in a client briefing him when he wants, for any conceivable reason, to be represented by some other counsel. any WE fear money-lenders cause County Court judges much trouble, and occasionally make them expound bad law. Here is a verbatim account of proceedings in the Shoreditch County Court: Defendant was one of two sureties for a sum of money lent a Mrs. Rose, and judgment had already been given against the debtor, but had been signed in default against the other defendant. Judge French: That will not do. He cannot go on indefinitely and obtain judgment against all the world. The Chief Clerk stated that this had been the invariable practice. Judge French: Then it is wrong. The House of Lords has decided that when a plaintiff signs judgment against one person he cannot sue another for the same debt. This summons must be dismissed. Plaintiff What am I to do? Judge French: Consult a solicitor. I am not here to give money-lenders advice. Judgment for the defendant with costs. Plaintiff Is that law? Judge French: It is. I am giving you the law. Plaintiff Then I wish you would give me justice. : Judge French: I wish I could give all the members of your fraternity justice. I fear it would not be pleasant for you. Conceivably this might be justice. Is it law? Certainly not. If a creditor having a cause of action against either of two persons, ex. gr., an agent and his undisclosed principal, elects to sue one and proceeds to judgment, he cannot then sue the other. But if a creditor has a debtor and a surety, and the debtor makes default whereby the surety becomes liable, he may sue both, recover judgment against both, and, failing to recover the debt from the debtor, may proceed with his remedies against the surety. So far as we are aware, the House of Lords has not yet sanctioned the doctrine that in a contract of suretyship you cannot get judgment and execution against all parties to the contract. THE Criminal Evidence Bill has been read a second time in the House of Commons by a large majority-not, however, without the assistance of the closure, and many effective criticisms on its altered provisions. Inasmuch as the inclusion of Ireland, which hitherto (as was very clearly shown on the only other occasion-in 1888 when the Bill has been fully debated before in the House of Commons) was the chief obstacle to the Bill, is now to be given up, there is a reasonable prospect that the Bill will become law in the present session. So great is the weight of authority in favour of admitting the evidence of prisoners, so large and many are the parts of Anglo-Saxondom in which such evidence has long been admitted, so continuous and persistent have been the endeavours of successive law officers for the last twenty years, that the opponents of the Bill (who are more numerous than has been generally supposed) will have a hard uphill game to fight. Their wisest course, however, would be to confine themselves to amendments in committee, and there are three points on which amendment appears to be required. First, the evidence of the prisoner ought, as was provided by the Criminal Code Bill of 1878, to be unsworn; secondly, it ought to be expressly provided that the prisoner is not to be asked whether or not he has been previously convicted; and, thirdly, the wife or husband of the prisoner ought only to be a competent, and in no case a compellable, witness. Is it the business of no one to utter Has he but painfully earned bread and butter Is he a politician without practice, Whichever 'tis who'll tell us what the fact is? Brilliant he or muff? His name won't smell the better for the keeping; Then out with it quick; Tho' thereby you set half the Temple weepingAnd the rest make sick. THE JUDICIAL TRUSTEE RULES. THE Judicial Trustees Act 1896 enables the High Court, on application either by a trustee or beneficiary, to appoint a judicial trustee of any trust, including that of the administration of the estate of a deceased person, whether a testator or intestate, "either jointly with any other person or as sole trustee," and, in some cases, in the place of any existing trustee. Such a trustee may be allowed remuneration by the court, and his accounts are to be subject to audit. He may be an official of the Supreme Court, a Palatine Court, or a County Court, and if he is not must give security. Rules may be made by the Lord Chancellor for carrying the Act into effect. Such are the provisions of the six sections of the Act. Let us now see what are the provisions of the more important of the thirty-six draft rules (which we printed at length last week), which have been published under the Rules Publication Act 1893 for consideration and criticism by "any public body interested," and which are expressed as intended to come into operation on the commencement of the Act, i.e., on the 1st May next. APPLICATION.-The application to appoint a judicial trustee is to be made by originating summons, and the court is to be supplied by the applicant with comprehensive particulars of the subject-matter of the application, giving, amongst other things, the name of the person nominated (if any) and short particulars of the reasons which lead to his nomination, with a statement whether it is proposed that be should be remunerated or not, and the names and addresses of the beneficiaries, and short particulars of their respective interest. It is manifest that great care will be required in drawing up these particulars, and it is to be feared that not a few trustees will find very great difficulty, even with the most assiduous assistance of their professional advisers, in producing a clear and accurate statement for the use of the court. APPOINTMENT.-The judicial trustee may be either the person nominated, if any, or the official solicitor of the court. Many restrictive rules of practice as to appointment of trustees may be broken down. Thus it is expressly provided that the solicitor to the trust may be appointed, that a beneficiary may be appointed, and that a relative may be appointed, notwithstanding Lord Romilly's dictum that the worst breaches of trust were invariably those committed by relatives. It is provided also that an existing trustee may be appointed, so that all trustees whatever may, if they be so minded, bring themselves, as "judicial trustees," under the operation of the Act and rules, i.e., they may take the benefits and burdens of remuneration, recognisance, and audit. The appointment of a beneficiary may settle many quarreis between trustees and beneficiaries, but we have some doubt whether a beneficiary ought in any case to be a sole trustee. Rule 5, which makes all these liberal provisions, also allows the appointment of a married woman-an enfranchisement which we should have thought to be already sufficiently provided for by the 18th section of the Married Women's Property Act 1882. On the other hand, the practice of appointing single women is by no means so fully established as not to require recognition by the new rule, and we would suggest that rule 5 should expressly authorise the appointment of women whether married or not, and should require that, if a married woman should be "nominated" in the application, the applicant should state whether the husband of the nominee consented to the appointment or not. 66 REMUNERATION.-The remuneration is to be as fixed by the court, and special allowances may also be made; e.g., ten guineas or less for statement of trust property on appointment, and for realising and investing trust property, where the property is realised for the purpose of re-investment, an allowance not exceeding 1 per cent. on the amount realised and re-invested." There may also in any year be a special allowance "for more trouble being thrown upon the trustee by reason of exceptional circumstances than would ordinarily be involved in the administration of the trust." There appears to be no doubt that the salary is intended to come out of income, and the special allowances out of capital; but we think it should be expressly stated that the allowances are to be paid out of capital. SECURITY. It is to be prima facie essential that the judicial trustee, if not an official of a court, should give security, but the court is to be allowed to dispense with it on the application of any person interested (this appears to us to be a little too liberal), and the security |