£6,000. The settlement made on his son was dated 22nd of July, 1852, and which disposed of all his landed property & everything he possessed - about £12,000 or £13,000. His son James, who was born before marriage, died in 1856. His object was to keep James from ruining the family. He was 37 years of age when he died.
Mr. Scrivens Complimented. On Thursday the 13th of December, news was joyfully received in Hastings that first class certificates were awarded in the Bankruptcy Court to Mr. George Scrivens and Mr. Francis Smith. In delivering judgement, Mr. Commissioner Fane said "I think it is my duty to express not only my satisfaction with the conduct of Mr. Scrivens, but my admiration also. It appears that Mr. Scrivens has, owing to the correct conduct of his partners, ended a most honourable career with this stigma of bankruptcy; but if ever there was a person who came to this court to whom that stigma should have no application it is Mr. Scrivens. He has led a life, I believe, of honest integrity and economy, and as regards his private affairs he does not owe one farthing. Every creditor has been paid; and as to the general features of the case, he is not only no burthen to his partners, but there is, after payment of everything, a surplus of £5,000 for the general creditors. I therefore have the greatest possible pleasure in giving him what he is fully entitled to, a first-class certificate and my expression of admiration of his conduct" In asking for a first-class certificate Mr. Lawrence said the bank had made large advances to Mr. Richard Smith, a relation of the bankrupts of that name. On the occasion of the bankruptcy of Richard Smith, Mr. Scrivens with great propriety suggested the closing of the Bank. The estate had already paid 10s. in the pound, and a further dividend of from 3s. to 5s. might be confidently anticipated. Mr. Scrivens entered the Bank as clerk 25 years ago, and afterwards became a partner. His private estate showed a surplus of at least £5,000, and in 1852 he had a clear capital of £9,400.
Mr. F. Smith's Certificate. A first-class certificate was next asked for on behalf of Mr. Francis Smith, who in 1852 was solvent, with a surplus of £16,681, although that surplus had been reduced by a loss of £10,000 by a nobleman who was his debtor. The certificate was awarded accordingly.
The Other Partner's Case. It was stated that Mr. Hilder had refused to sign certain accounts and that the ground of objection -
