County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

r A RECORD OF BUBBLE COMPANIES. Henry Clench, alias Henry Clench Stanley, alias Count Stanley, a middle-aged man, of respectable appearance, was charged on remand, before Mr. Mansfield, at Marl- borough Police-court, London, with having obtained signatures by fraud to a deed purporting to be a valuable security. it wis understood, however, that there werf other charges against him of having perpetrated numerous frauds of the most ingcnieus description. The prisoner conducted his own defence with much feif-possession and ingenuity; Mr. Lewis prosecuted. On entering the dock the prisoner called for a long list of documents which had been taken from him, and which he understood were about to be put in. They were handed to him. Sidney Casbourne, from the office of the Registrar of Juiiit-Stock Companies, Somerset House, produced the memorandum and articles ef association of The Bank of Lendon and Australia (Limited)." It was incorporated on Feb. 7, 1880, and the mominal capital was £ 10,000, dividod into 1000 shares of £ 10 each. The memorandum and the articles contained the names of seven shareholders, among others that of Julian Bennett for 500 stsres, and that of Tread- croft Granville for 495 shares. the shares allotted to Julian Bennett involved a liability of £ 5000. Julia Bennett deposed that she had acted as secretary of The Ladies' Co-operative Society (Limited)," 8, Regent- street, which was founded by the prisoner. She was brought into communication with Mr. Clench by an ad- vertisement, and he agreed to give her E150 and 150 shares for the first year, to be increased to X200 per annum in the second. Mrs. Amy Treadcroft Granville acted as assistant secretary, and there was a com- mittee of ladies, among whom was Mrs. Alwin. The Prisoner I object to this examination as irrelevant. Mrs. Bennett is now giving evidence with respect to an association entitled The Ladies' Co-operative Society (Limited)," with which the present accusa- tion has no connection. I understand I am here to answer a charge in connection with The Bank of London and Australia (Limited)." Mr. Lewis having explained that his object was to show how the signa- tures to the latter company were obtained, the objec- tion was disallowed. Examination continued The witness said the co-operative society remained in exist- ence until the day that the prisoner absconded, and she then sent all the books and papers in her possession to Scotland-yard. She was in his employment altogether about seven weeks. About a fortnight before abscond- ing the prisoner said he saw that the Ladies' Co- operative Society would not pay, and he wanted to start another association in order that one might help the other. The name Julian Bennett, secretary of a public company, in the articles of association of the bank, was signed by her at the instance of the prisoner. He said the difference of name was of no consequence whatever. He merely wanted to transfer some shares to his children, but as they were minors they could not sign, and as soon as she signed she could make a deed of gift to them. He added that she could sign "John Smith" if she liked. She had no means of meeting a liability of £ 5000 but he said that if she did not obey his orders she would have to leave. She knew nothing of banking between London and Australia but he told her that if the bank prospered she would receive ten shares. The handwriting produced was that of Mrs. Granville, to whom he made the same representations. Her name was Amy Tread- croft Granville, but he said it would be better to write Tread-croft Granville, as it looked more like a man's signature. Mrs. Alwin also signed a. man's name. After that circulars were sent out to the different banks, and directors were advertised for. A clergyman from the Gray's Inn-road, some captains, and a few re- tired majors answered, and were immediately engaged as directors. Shareholders were also advertised for. A few days before the prisoner absconded Mrs. Lankastcr had an interview with him, and subsequently spoke to witness, but siie became indignant and refused to believe what the lady told her. When they discovered what was going on they applied for a warrant against him and he absconded. Hi's wife came for the keys, but she refused to give them up. The prisoner never spoke to her about his previous history, and had always acted in an honourable manner towards her. Mr. Lewis: I now propose to ask your worship that the case should be allowed to stand over, the prisoner being allowed out on entering into his own recognisances in £ 100. I understand that my friend Mr. Hare, who represents the Treasury, will at once have him taken to the Mansion House on another charge. (To the prisoner): Have you any objection to I this course ?-Pri:,oner: Oh dear no. I only want to meet any charge that is brought forward. So that I have an opportunity of cross-examining the last witness I have no objection. Mr. Mansfield assured the prisoner that he would have the opportunity of cross-examining on a future occasion, and signified his acquiescence in Mr. Lewis's proposal. The prisoner then left the court smilingand was immediately arrested by the City Police, on a warrant under the Larceny Act, charging him with having frcudulently issued prospectuses in connection with a company entitled "The Government Security Life and Fire Insurance Company." On the following day, Henry Clench, or Stanley, was charged before the Lord Mayor, at the Mansion House, with having issued a false prospectus of a company called the Government Securities Fire Insurance Company (Limited), Queen Victoria-street, with intent to induce persons to become shareholders therein. Alr. Poland, who prosecuted, described the origin of the company, and the action taken by the prisoner in connection with it. The charge was brought by the Public Prosecutor under the 84th section of the Larceny Act. The defendant, it was stated, had had a large experience in establishing public companies. A concern under the above title was registered in 1875 for the alleged purpose of carrying on the business of fire insurers in all parts of the United Kingdom and abroad. The first names on the memorandum of association were those of Martin and Co., 8, Gracechurch-street, holding 100 shares, as managing directors, but it trans- pired that there was no such firm, but that the names related to the defendant himself. There were the names tiso of persons who could not be found, holding shares to the number of 3020. Amongst the first directors was Stanley himself. Two or three of the gentlemen who joined the Board, after paying their, money, became sus- picious, and resigned their offices soon afterwards. The trustees of the company included the names of the Right Rev. Bishop Jenner, the Hon. J. Colbourne, the late Mr. Redmond, M.P., the Rev. A. Winterbottom, and others but they soon discovered that nothing was to be entrusted to them. In the prospectuses it was stated that the first issue of £ 25,000 had been readily taken by upwards, of 250 shareholders, amongst those named as having the majority being a person named William Smith, who proved to be a phantom. Many shares appeared to have been allotted to officers and others con- nected with the company. Stanley gave a promissory note for 100 shares, payable in five years. Blake, the secretary, three notes, payable in two, three, and five years. A large number of shares were held by news- paper proprietors, who had accepted paid-up shares in payment for advertisements. Of the whole number there were only forty-six ordinary shareholders, and they paid about £;)5D. A statement was issued to the effect that the business of the company was progressing satisfac- torily, the nominal capital taken up being upwards of £ 34,000, and that the amount of insurance effected was upwards of a million, whilst the losses by fire only amounted to about .£15. Of the million insured it was proved that £873,000 had been effected in one single in- surance against the loss by fire of some so-called Govern- ment bonds whilst in transit between Dover and Calais, and that it had been taken by Stanley himself. This statement Mr. Poland characterised as a ridiculous sham, which had been published and repeated for the purpose of gulling the public. About £ 127,000 genuine in- surances were effected by persons who had seen the ad- vertisements. Amongst those who subscribed for deben- ture shares was a Mrs. Cooper, a lady who withdrew 12500 Consols in February, 1877, and paid it over in notss to the secretary of the company, and under the cognisance of the defendant Miss Carr and others also paid .£100 for debentures. When Stanley found the corapany was on its last legs, he proceeded to Havre, and from thence wrote to the offices a letter signed Martin and Co. in which he stated that he should have nothing more to do with them as managing director, and that he would not labour fur any company who raised money for the purpose of feeding lawyers and fattening barristers, who wanted to be paid before they had done their work. Mr. Poland then proceeded to show that the prisoner, having established the company, having had it extensively advertised and obtained the money paid for the debentures, took J6625, proceeded abroad, where he had remained until very recently, when he returned, and was taken into custody. The company went into liquidation, and then the frauds were discovered. The newspaper proprietors, who had shares, were, after considerable litigation, held by the Court of Appeal to be contiibutories to the capital, and they had to pay the money represented by their shares. Another fire company, the Church and Empire, was raised, it was said, in the same way, and met with a similar fate. Detective-ser- geant Childs having proved the arrest of the prisoner at the Marlborough-street Police-court, he was remanded, the-hail being fixed, himself in £ 2000 and two sureties in £ 1000 each.

SERIOUS OH AEG E AGAINST A SOLICITOR. At the Western Circuit, William Henry Newman, aged 77, a solicitor, of Southampton, was charged before Mr. Justice. Bowen with having defrauded the trustees of the late Thomas Dawkins of the sum of £ 14,000. Mr. Bullen prosecuted; the lIon. Bernard Coleridge defended. The de endant, who bore a high character, was the solicitor of the late Mr. Dawkins. On the death of the latter, the trustees who were appointed under his will called on Newman with regard to the securities in which the estate of the deceased was invosted. Newman gave them a list of mortgages showing investments to the ameunt of £ 17,14-0. Subsequently, the two trustees, not feeling it safe to have so large a sum out on mortgage, saw Newman and requested him to call in all the money except £ 4000, and to invest the proceeds in Consols. He remonstrated at this, pointingout that the change of invest- ment would cause a serious diminution of income but, as the trustees persisted, he drew up notices, which they signed. On their subsequently calling about the money, Newman confessed that, with some comparatively small exceptions, the mortgages were non-existent, or long paid- off, and he had not got the money. He offered to pay back the principal at the rate of JE1000 a year, and to pay a further annual sum of £ 600 by way of interest, but this the trustees declined to accept, saying that there was no security that he could pay such amounts. He was now charged under 24 and 25 Vic., cap. 96, section 76, which cnacts that whosoever, being a banker, mer- chant, broker, attorney, or agent, and being intrusted, either solely or jointly with any other person, with the property of any other person for safe custody, shall, with intent to defraud, sell, negotiate, transfer, pledge, or in any manner convert or appropriate the same or any part thereof to or for his own use or benefit, or the use or benefit of any person other than the person by whom he was so intrusted, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour." Mr. Coleridge, at the close of the case for the prose- cution, submitted that there was no case, as it had been decided in Reg. v. Cooper (" L.R. 4 C.C.R., 123 ") that the intrusting a solicitor with money to invest on mortgage was not intrusting such money for safe custody within the terms of the section. The prisoner had been indicted under that section and not under section 75, which applied to cases such as the present, because section 75 required that the person intrusted with money to invest should have been directed in writing how to invest the money, and there had been no such direction here. Mr. Bullen, in reply, cited the case of Reg. v. Fullager" (41" Law Times Reports," New Series, 448), in which, under somewhat similar circumstances, a conviction had been affirmed, but Mr. Coleridge, in reply, pointed out that in that case there had been express directions to the solicitor to retain money, the proceeds of a mortgage, in safe custody, while the client made up her mind how to reinvest it; moreover, the case of Reg. v. Cooper was not referred to, showing that the questions were different. The learned judge said that he should re- serve the point for the Court of Criminal Appeal, and as the learned counsel resolved not to address the jury, he directed them that for the purposes of the day they must take it from him that if Newman received money of the deceased on the terms that he was to take care of it himself, or to invest it for him and keep it safe until that was done, and if he converted it to his own use, he would be guilty. The jury found the defendant guilty, and the learned judge deferred sentence, declining to accept bail. Newman had been in custody up to the trial, the magis- trates having fixed his bail at £10,000, which he was unable to find.

MYSTERIOUS SHOOTING CASE. A night or two ago the police were called to a man who had been found lying on the pavement in St. James- street, Westminster, London, who had evidently been shot or had shot himself with a revolver, which was discovered near him. He was immediately re- moved to the Charing-cross Hospital, where he was seen by Mr. Bloxham, the surgeon. Examination showed that he had received a dangerous wound, the bullet having entered the body under the nipple of the right bieast. It has been found impossible to extract it, or ascertain for certain how far or in what direction it may have penetrated. It was thought possible that the lungs may have escaped fatal injury, but there was a considerable loss of blood, and the man's condition was highly critical. In reply to questions, the patient stated that his name was George Sampson, and that he was aprivate in the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Connaught's Regi- ment, and he averred that he had been shot by some one, but how and by whom and under what circum- stances he did not-it may be could not-explain. It was thought to be partial corroboration of his state- ment that the ball had pierced all his clothing, so that the weapon had not been placed under the outer gar- ment, and there was further the inherent improbability of a man attempting suicide in a public thoroughfare. There was, however, a similar unlikelihood of anyone attempting a murder in a large open, well-lighted West- end-street but at the time of the occurrence a consider- able amount of fog prevailed. The tragedy seems to have been witnessed only by a boy, who declares that he saw the man himself point the pistol to his breast and draw the trigger. The revolver has been discovered to bear the name of an officer of the 32nd Foot. How it came there is at present, like the other circumstances of the affair, a mystery.

William B. Barker's safety marine signal, which is an ingenious invention intended to secure vessels under sail or steam from coming into collision in fogs, has been favourably reported upon by the officers of the Board of Trade, and there is reason to believe that it will be adopted by the Admiralty. The apparatus is so skilfully arranged that it is well adapted for remedying the detects in the existing international system of signals. In order to prevent collisions it is of the utmost importance that the sound-signals should make known the course of vessels, and this is the want which Capt. Barker's apparatus is meant to supply. All signals beginning with a long sound show the course to be east- ward those commencing with a short sound show the course to be westward. Signals ending with a -short sound show the course to be northward, and those ending with a long sound show the course to be southward. The importance of these distinctions of sound will readily be recognised when it is considered how easily a steamer may run down a sailing vessel in a fog if the signals of the latter only make known her whereabouts without indicat- ing her course. It is understood that the American Government would readily adopt this useful invention if England would set the example. THE WELL-KNOWN CANINE FAVOURITE, "Rail- way Jack, is at present, although not out of all danger, going on well. One of the principal surgeons of Lewes amputated the crushed leg, and still kindly attends upon him. He is under the immediate care of a veterinary surgeon, whose wife devotes herself to him. One or Other of the railway porters is ever on the watch by his basket side. The only person who is painfully excluded from any communication with him is his owner, the station-master his presence being found, too exciting at a time when so much depends on keeping the poor animal quiet. Much inquiry is made daily as to his condition, but as yet it is necessary to limit vi-itors to simply hearing about him, not seeing him. If he should recover,. it is to be feared that a tripodal existence may terminate his extraordinary travelling propensity, except under conditions which will affect his love of independence but he has so many friends on so many lines" that it may well be assumed he may see yet some field for his extraordinary love of railway locomotion. If his history is ever truly written, it will be a wonderful one, as proof of a sagacity scarcely ever surpassed in canine history. AMONG THE COLLIERS in South Wales a move- ment is on fLot to procure alterations in the existing sliding sc ile, and at Cardiff there has been held a joint meeting of masters' and workmen's representatives. The matter was being discussed when it was ascertained that the house-coal men came pledged to a certain programme, whereupon the masters declined to discuss the matter imy further. The meetin'g was consequently adjourned, in order that the house-coal men might consult those whom they repiesented. THERE IIAVIO BEEN large and fashionable assemblages at two amateur concerts given at Berkeley Castle in aid of the Berkeley Cottage Hospital. Amongst the distinguished amateurs and others taking part In it were the Viscountess Folkestone, the Marchioness of Waterford, the Countess of Westmoreland, and Lady Grac:- Ivme. A LARGELY ATTENDED and ^enthusiastic Liberal meeting has been held at Acciington, under the presidency of Mr. F. W. Grafton, M.P. A telegram was read f i oin the Marquis of Harrington, who said: I regret that official duties detain me in London. My best wishes for the success of the meeting. I feel assured, from what I have seen of meetings which I have been able to attend, that there is no change in the spirit which animates the Liberal party of Lancashire, and that they will co«t:nss to give the Government a hearty I support.'

THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. The following letter has been issued by the Print Minister to his supporters in the House of Commons Hawarden Castle, January, 1882. S!r,—The 7th'of February has been appointed for the opening of the Parliamentary session and I venture to hope you may be in your place, as matters of pressing- interest will at the earliest practicable date be submitted to the House of Commons.—I have the honour to be, sir., your very faithful and obedient servant, W. E. GLADSTONE." Earl Granville has issued the following circular to the- supporters of the Ministry in the House of Lords 18, Carlton House-terrace, January, 1882. My Lord,—Parliament wili assemble on February 7.. Important business will be proceeded with, and I hope it may suit your convenience to be in your place at the- date I have named.—I have the honour to be, my lord, your obedient servant, GKA.NVII.LE."

THE RECENT GREAT POST OFFICE, ROBBERY. At the Manchester City Police-court James Ridgway,, alias Bethel, alias Wilson, who was recently apprehended; at Bangor on suspicion of being concerned in the Hatton- Garden Post-office robbery, was brought up on remand,. charged under the Prevention of Crime Act with not reporting himself to the police, as required by the terms- of his licence. When the prisoner, who is about 56 years of age, was previously before the Court, it was- understood that at the expiration of the remand he would be handed over to some other police authority — presumably the metropolitan. However, In- spector Clayton, who had charge of the case, simply gave evidence against the prisoner, for that he being a. person under police supervision had failed to report him- self, and also failed to notify his change of residence. On March 25, 1880, Ridgway was discharged on ticket- of-leave from the Parkhurst Convict Prison, where he- had been serving a term of seven years' penal servi- tude, to be followed by seven years' police supervision, for obtaining goods by false pretences. On March 16, 1'881, he was apprehended for obtaining a quan- tity of goods by fraud, but he escaped conviction. in consequence of the prosecutor failing to appear- He was sent back to Parkhurst to serve the remainder of his unexpired term of the seven years. He was; again discharged on Oct. 21, 1881, and he went to live in Deansgate, Manchester. He subsequently left there without notifying his change of residence, thereby rendering himself liable to twelve months' im- prisonment. lIe was next heard of at Bangor, adverti- sing in different papers to supply goldfinches in full, song all recept of thirty stamps. At the present time there are from fifty to one hundred letters, containing; postal orders and stamps, waiting him at the post-offices in and around Bangor. He had been living on the pro- ceeds of his fraudulent advertisement for the past two- months. The police were perfectly satisfied that Ridg- way had nothing whatever to do with the Hatton- garden Post-office robbery, and he was now committed to. prison for nine months for neglecting to report himself. -4.

AT THE STOCK AND SHARE AUCTION CO. SALS held on the 20th inst. at their sale room, Crown- conrt-buildings, Old Broad-street, the following were amongst the prices obtained: Rhodes Reef Gold Mining, £ 1 shares, 12s. (;d. Confederate States of America$100 Bonds, 3s. 4-d Oriental Telephone £ 1^shares, 10s., paid 9s. 9d.; Spanish Three per Cents., 26 11-16 Indian. Trevelyan Gold Mining £1 shares fully paid,, 12s. Oil.; Peruvian Six per Cents.^ 18s.; Hornachos- Silver Lead Mining £ 10 shares, £ 5 10s.; Egyptian-- Unified, 66 1-3; New Zealand Kapanga £1 shares, 10s.; Great Eastern Rails, 72fr per cent. 2 Rio Tinto Clc) shares, 24^; and other miscellaneous 2 securities fetched fair, prices. At their sale held on the. 24tli inst. the following were amongst the prices ob- tained London Road Car £ 10 shares, £ 9 New Wye Valley Lead Mining 11 shares, 9s.; Old Owlacombe Mines £ 1 shares, 4s.; Wheal Jewell Mining, 7s. Oriental Telephone £ 1 shares, 10s. paid, 4d. discount; Belgium Date Coffee Co. JES shares, L2 10s. paid par;, West Craven Moor Lead, 7s. 6d.; and other miscellaneous securities fetched fair prices. AT THE POLICE-COURT, Great Yarmouth, the magistrates issued a warrant against John R. Durrant, late. a ueerhouse keeper and fish merchant, carrying on business in that town, for extensive fraud. In November and December last, Durrant purchased a very large quantity of herrings, to the value of several hundred pounds, for which he did not pay. He has since been made a bankrupt, and the creditors have ascertained that he within the last few days left England in the steamer Chtmborazo, bound for Australia. It is expected that he will be arrested at the Cape and brought back to England for trial. THE LARGE COLSTON HALL AT BRISTOL has been crowded every night for a week past in order to hear temperance addresses from Mr. R. T. Booth and Colonel Caldwell, American evangelists. The audiences have numbered from 3000 to 4000 persons nightly, and one night it was stated that 10,600 had taken the blue riband badges, and that 4900 new pledges of, total ab- stinence had been taken. AN ACTION HAS BEEN RAISED in the Court of Session, Edinburgh, by John M'Gregor, wine and spirit merchant, Greenock, against the Caledonian Railway Company for £ 10,000 damages, in consequence of injuries sustained by him in the collision at Pennilee, near Glas- gow, on Sept. 8, 1880.. The plaintiff states that his business has suffered considerably from his being unable to attend to it in consequence of the injuries received. The defendants plead that the amount of plaintiff's claim for damages is excessive.

MELANCHOLY ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE. Jane Lander, aged 61, a respectable-looking woman, living at 93, Ranelagh-road, Pimlico, London, was, placed before Mr. D'Eyncourt, at Westminster Police- court, charged with an attempt at suicide.. Herbert Knott, police-constable 269 B, stated that while- Oil duty in Grosvcnor-road, Pimlico, he saw the pri- soner leave a house in Ranelagh-road and walk on in-, front. She appeared to be fully dressed, and, as he. walked faster than she, he was overtaking her, when she suddenly ran sharply across the road towards the- river, and her manner exciting his suspicions, he hurried after her. She then mounted the parapet of the Em- bankment, and throwing off some upper garment, he; found that she had only her night-dress on. She- commenced climbing over the iron spikes, evidently with the intention of throwing herself into the water, when he- seized her, and in answer to his inquiries as to why she had attempted to commit so rash an act, she only said, they would tear her to pieces in the asylum, and she- must escape from them. Mr. d'Eyncourt inquired, whether she had anything to say in answer to the charge. Defendant, who exhibited a very wild appearance, replied her husband had threatened to put her in to an asylum, and that was what made her do it. The husband, a very re- spectable-looking old man, stepped into the witiiess-box., and, with tears in his eyes, denied any such suggestion.. He said he had been out of work-a long time, which had much upset her, but she had never exhibited any symp- toms leading him to think she would attempt her life.. They went down on their knees the night before, as was-. their custom, and he never missed her from his side in, bed until the constable summoned him. Ske never drank, nor did he, and a better wife could not be, but she had had a great deal of affliction, his being out of work preyed upon her mind, and their eldest daughter- had married a drunkard who ill-treated her, and this- much upset the mother. Mr. d'Eyncourt said he should remand her for a week, and during that time she would have the kind ministrations of the chaplain at the House. of Detention, and no doubt she would feel better when she came out. The husband begged that he might be allowed to take her home with him, and said he would take the utmost care of her. Mr. d'Eyncourt, however, thought she looked very wild, and thought it was much better for her that she should be under careful treatment,. .e

THE APPROACHING ROYAL MARRIAGE.. The Princess of Waldeck-Pyrmont, mother of Queen. Emma and of the Princess Helena of Waldeck, the fiancee- of Prince Leopold, will arrive shortly at the Hague on a. visit to the King and Queen of the Netherlands. The Princess will, it is believed, remain as a guest at the Dutch Court until the marriage of Prince Leopold, when: it is probable that she will aceompauy King William and Queen Emma on their journey to London.. It has been arranged that, shortly before the- marriage, their Dutch Majesties will be brought to England by the Royal yacht Falcon, which will take- their Majesties on board at Flushing and land them at. Queensborough. The retinue of their Majesties wili include the Countesses van Ittersum and van de Poll, and three gentlemen of the Court, Admiral Jonkheer vail- Capellen, Colonel Jonkheer Alewyn and Lieutenant de" Ranitz. The Belgian papers state that the King and; Queen of Belgium will also be among the guests of Queen, Victoria at the time of the marriage of Prince Leopold.. The statement, however, requires confirmation.