town of Hastings was full to overflowing, but those times were when there was no St. Leonards, and when the accommodation of Hastings itself, was very limited. In the more recent years, the number of first-class houses had so rapidly increased as to engender fears of financial difficulties and absolute loss by the non-occupation of the same. Those apprehensions were unfortunately realised to a considerable extent. Capital had been sunk by speculators who had not the wherewith to tide over the depression of the previous three or four years, and financial paralysis was the result. But to those whose means enabled them to withstand the dull seasons, there appeared to be a good time coming.
Bankruptcies, Dissolutions &c.
Bankrupts
As an illustration of the above-stated results, the bankruptcies were very numerous during 1856, inluding those pertaining to three separate establishments of the Beck family and three of the Amoores; also that of T. A. Young, a hotel-keeper, and Mr. E. Morgan, a wholesale grocer. Mr. Henry Beck was a draper and lodging house keeper of St. Leonards. His balance-sheet shewed secured creditors for £3,985, and unsecured £1882. He had a wife and six children who afterwards emigrated to New Zealand. His brother, James Beck was a grocer at St. Leonards and a member of the Town Council. He afterwards became a commercial traveller, and ultimately died in the neighbourhood of London. Frederick Beck, another brother was also a grocer, and his effects were sold off under assignment. He afterwards removed to Portsea, where he died. Mr. Morgan paid a dividend of 4/4 in the pound. Mr. Alfred Amoore, also a grocer assigned his effects to Charles Alderton and Boykett Breeds. Mr. Andrew Amoore's steam-mill and plant with other effects were sold off by the assignees. Mr. Alfred Amoore afterwards emigrated to America. Mr. Holloway, also a grocer, assigned his effects to Henry Dunk and another person, on April 9th. Robert Lye's shop, fixtures and furniture were sold off by the trustees.
Dissolutions
Messrs. Rankin & Gabb, surgeons, dissolved partnership; Messrs. Ball and Stace, fishmongers, dissolved partnership; and Messrs. Harman and Mitchell, builders, also dissolved partnership. Several of the tradesmen here named were of Hastings and are included with those of St. Leonards, as coming under the category of failures, &c.
Moreing versus Troup
This was an action by the plaintiff, an architect of Regent Street, London, and Warrior square, St. Leonards, to recover from the defendent possession of the lease of a piece of ground in the rear of Warrior square granted in 1849, by Charles Gilbert Eversfield to the defendant. Mr Moreing produced the proceedings in the Insolvent Court, vesting the defendant's estate and effects in his assignees, Messrs. Roe and Brighton, who sold both the freehold and leasehold of Warrior square to the plaintiff (subject to a mortgage of £11,500) for £5,600. The jury found a verdict for plaintiff for £1,000, to be reduced to a nominal amount on defendant giving up the lease.
