Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

9 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

AGRICTURE.I i

[No title]

HI NTS UPON GARDENING. --

ATTEMPT To MURDER A NON-COMMISSIONED…

1SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

DR. LEECH IN CONSULTATION…

CHARGE AGAINST A FRENCH BANKER.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

CHARGE AGAINST A FRENCH BANKER. Victor Widemann was charged at Bow-street with absconding from Guibillier, in the department of the Haut Rhin, with a large amount in money and securities, the property of his customers, the total amount of defalcations being about £ 4,500. Mr. Montague Williams appeared for the defence, and Mr. Albert attended as interpreter. The case derives peculiar interest from its being the last, probably, that will occur under the Extradition Act (amended) of 1842, passed in accordance with the treaty between England, France, and America, to facilitate the appre- hension of persons charged with criminal offences, which may have taken refuge abroad. The treaty was effected before the existence of the present empire of France, and some difficulties have been experienced in carrying its provisions into effect, partly owing to the difference in the mode of criminal proceedings in the respective countries. The French Government have, therefore, decided not to renew it. Mr. Adolph Picard deposed that he was clerk to Messrs. Schumberger and Co., of Guibillier, general merchants, and official assignee under the bank- ruptcy of the prisoner, who absoonded from Guibillier on the 13th ef March, taking with him 31,000f. in cash and 31,000f. in bills of exchange and other negotiable securities, all belonging to the banking company of which he was manager and responsible director, and which is a "Société en Com- mandite (limited liability company). This witness also produced a letter from the prisoner, stating that he had deposited the money safely in London. Cross-examined by Mr. Montague Williams: I am chief clerk in the house of Schumberger and Co., the first commercial house in Alsace. We have business relations with the prisoner, and I was also personally acquainted with him. I was appointed official assignee beoause all the shareholders and creditors requested me to act. I aet with another assignee. It is usual to appoint two assignees when the bankruptcy takes place at another town than that where the court is held. The first step in the bankruptcy is an appli- cation to the Juge de Paix, in order to ascertain if his absence was merely accidental or whether it was fraudulent. After this there was an inqui- sition at Colmar and also at Guibillier before the Attorney-General (Prooureur-Gdnerale), the Juge de Paix, and the Juge d'Instruction. He was then declared a bankrupt. The witness here produced a copy of the decree, by which Victor Widemann, manager of the bank of Widemann, Bontemps, and Co., having absconded, that house was declared to be bankrupt, assignees were appointed, and directions given for the usual advertisements, &o. The firm consists of the prisoner and a number of shareholders en commandite. Persons deposited their money, for which the manag- ing director was responsible to them; they were not partners according to the French law, but they had a certain interest in the concern. Mr. M. Williams thought he should be able to show that the prisoner was in partnership with the share- holders, but the evidence of this could only be ob- tained by sending over for it to Alsace. Sir Thomas Henry said that under the French law it was not a partnership. The prisoner was liable to the shareholders, and he had actually been made a bankrupt by the Tribunal de Commerce. The witness then put in a copy of his deposition before the Juge destruction (M. Rigaud), certified by him. At the request of Mr. M. Williams it was translated by M. Albert. It was a very lengthy document, setting forth the same facts as stated in the witness's information, with some additional particulars as to the circumstances under which the prisoner got into difficulties, partly by living beyond his means, and partly by a series of transactions with a person named Stocker, a silk manufacturer and merchant, to whom he bad given a number of accommodation bills and fictitious orders for goods to an amount beyond what would have stocked the establishment of Stocker for more than three years, besides which the goods were not of a class in which Stocker dealt. There was a warrant out against Stocker, who had also absconded; and, indeed, the correspondence showed that the flight had been for months preconcerted between Stocker and the prisoner. None of the transactions with Stooker had been entered in the books of the bank. Mr. Williamson, chief inspector of the detective force: I apprehended the prisoner on Saturday at a house in High-street, Peckham, on a warrant signed by Sir T. Henry, the chief magistrate. I asked him in French what his name was. He said his name was Bourgeois. I then made a signal to M. Pioard, who was outside, and he came in and identified him as the person named in the warrant. I told him I was an inspeotor of Dolioe. ana snowea hun the warr ant, which I explained to him: He made no reply. Another officer who was with me iett the room and brought in a portmanteau and a 8I?aH travelling bath. The prisoner being asked whether they were his, said they were. He found s}O Ar\A • contained about 61,000f., equal to about npt • money and securities. This concluded the case for the prosecution. After some discussion, Sir Thomas Henry desired the interpreter to explain to the prisoner that he was not now being tried, but that this was only a prelimi. nary inquiry, as if he were about to be committed for trial in that case. Sir Thomas also suggested that Mr. Williams and Mr. Kilby should consult in another room, with the assistance of the interpreter, M. Albert. This was done, and, on returning, Mr. Williama stated that the prisoner desired, according to his own expression, to "appeal." He (Mr. Williams) had ex- plained to him that there was no power of appeal but that he could move the Court of Queen's Bench for a writ of Habeas Corpus. For that purpose he should ask for a further remand. Sir Thomas Henry said all he could do would be to sign a warrant to commit the prisoner to the House of Detention, and it would then remain for the Secretary of State to determine the time when he should be re- moved; but of course lull time would be allowed for the purpose suggested. It being suggested, however, that the prisoner wished to call certam witnessaa, and also to consult with his solicitor and counsel as to a statement he desired to make, he was remanded.

[No title]

FACTS AND FACETIIS. --+-