SOLICITORS' JOURNAL.

that the attention of the council of the chief law society is being largely given to the question of TO-DAY we publish reports of the proceedings at students, and Mr. Saunders' announcements the professional education of articled law the annual general meetings of three important upon the subjects will not be read withcountry law societies; namely those of Worcester out a sense of gratification. and Worcestershire, Birmingham, and Newcastlethe members of the Newcastle-on-Tyne Society At the meeting of one of the first resolutions adopted involved an upon-Tyne. We are compelled, owing to pressure attack upon the present system of granting orders on our space, to hold over the annual reports of dispensing with the passing of the preliminary the two last-named societies. As to the Worces-examination, to which subject we have already reter Society one of its valuable features, after, attention of all vigorous and really useful country ferred. This question seems to be attracting the of course, the tendency which the existence law societies. We hope that Newcastle solicitors of such associations has to sustain a rigorous will stick to their text in this matter. It appears professional etiquette, consists of its law library is a larger amount than should be required from to us that an annual subscription of two guineas which we learn from the annual report of the any country law society, seeing that it is expected committee has been in much request by profes- that solicitors should also become members of the sional men in Worcester. There are still a large chief society in London. number of solicitors in Worcester who do not annual report of this society in our next issue. We shall refer to the belong to the society, and this is much to be regretted. The accounts of the society show such a favourable balance that the question of doing away with the entrance fee might be considered. There are a large number of solicitors and barristers in London who suppose that country solicitors are not really interested in such an alteration of the rules of the Inns of Court as would secure to solicitors greater facilities for being called to the bar; but no greater mistake can well be made. It is a professional topic which finds a prominent place in most annual reports of country law societies. It is so with the Worcester society, and we hope the committee will continue to give a hearty support to the chief law society on this important inter-professional question. We observe that the committee of this society is opposed to allowing an accused person to give evidence when upon his or her trial. We are afraid such isolated expressions of opinion on Such an important point are of small value. What is wanted is some united expression of opinion on such questions by the solicitors throughout the country. The solicitors of Worcester have also considered the question, (which has long proved the one absorbing subject to which the associated provincial law societies have given attention) of land titles and trans

SOLICITORS will read with interest the discussion
which arose at a meeting of Birmingham solicitors,
and which we report elsewhere, in regard to the
duties of solicitors when called on to comply with
the requirements of the new Bills of Sale Act as to
attesting the execution of a bill of sale. If Mr.
Allen is rightly reported, we are rather surprised
at the view he took of the matter. That expressed
by Mr. Joseph Rowland is to be preferred. Of
course, a solicitor must exercise his discretion; but
professional men are at liberty to prepare bills of
it cannot be too well remembered that none but

of his office, entitled to a fee of 6s. 8d. for attest

the simplest and shortest deeds, he should, of
course, make a further charge for explaining the
effect of the deed, so far as the mortgagor is
concerned. Is this done by all professional men?
We fear not, but that undercutting is in some
cases and in most places the order of the day.

The

sale or deeds of this description, for fee or reward. If a man prepares his own deeds no one has a right to complain, and, least of all, solicitors. go-called accountant, or estate agent, or auctioneer, On the other hand, if a man who is known to be a or what not, is in the habit of preparing bills of sale for fee and reward, to the knowledge of the solicitor, the only proper course is to take the particulars of the case and refuse to act, except to bring the matter before a law society. Indeed, we would go farther and say that, when there is room for suspicion of an offence under the Stamp Act, a solicitor may well refuse to act, and he can always easily find out who, if fer. The preference is given to the creation any one, afterwards acted in the matter as of district registries of deeds rather than to the attesting solicitor. We look forward to the the registration of titles. This great public report of the committee of the Birmingham society question will soon be dealt with, and it behoves as to what rule should obtain among solicitors as conveyancers through the country (and almost to attesting bills of sale which are not prepared by every country solicitor is more or less a convey-qualified practitioners. A solicitor is, by virtue ancer) to fix on some improvement in the existing system and labour to induce the Legisla-ing the execution of such deeds; but, except in ture to accept it. If solicitors leave Parliament to do as it pleases in this matter, withont exerting themselves, an Act will before many years have passed find its way into the statute books, which will leave many solicitors much in the position of Othello when he found his " occupation gone.' As to the Birmingham Law Society's meeting, it was not so well attended as could be wished; but the report of the committee was considered satisfactory, and so appears to us. The number of members has slightly increased during the past year; but why is not this important society incorporated? Even the Bolton Law Society has undergone this ordeal quite recently, although it does not number half as many members. The report refers to an important question in regard to the preliminary examination. It seems that forty-eight candidates presented themselves for this examination at Birmingham during the year, and only twenty passed. This looks well. The examiners are doing their duty. So far the examination is not a sham. what use is this attention to a very important But of matter-namely, the general education of men who seek to enter a learned profession-if the judges of the land are by a side door letting in not only men whose general education renders it doubtful if they should be admitted to the Profession, but actually those whose education is, and has been, such that they are wholly unfit for the profession of the law? Men who cannot write grammatically and who cannot talk so; and yet to such men dispensing orders are granted because they have been solicitors' clerks for a few years, and this without even requiring from such solicitors a certificate of the good conduct of the clerk during the employment. It is perfectly astonishing that the chief law society has no power to analyse the papers upon which such orders are granted by certain judges. Surely a solicitor's clerk having such an order ought to be required to enter into articles within a certain time after obtaining such an order. While the present state of things exists, the Birmingham Law Society can hardly congratulate itself in regard to the preliminary examinations held in Birmingham or elsewhere. The remarks of Mr. W. Evans, the president of the Birmingham society, in regard to land titles and transfer, suggest that some members of the Profession are more awake to the importance of the question than many suppose. Mr. Saunders, as a member of the council of the Incorporated Law Society U.K., stated in effect

241

hearing a case of
following this announcement came the names of
no public interest," and yet
four members of the Bar who "
Why on earth do not members of the Bar protest
the case.
were concerned in
Can anything be more ridiculous?
tising? Counsel are instructed by solicitors, and
against what looks like pure and simple adver-
are we therefore really to be told that the public
in a case which is not even named in the news-
care to know what particular advocates appeared
papers because it was of no public interest?"
HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE.
CHANCERY DIVISION.
(Before MALINS, V.C.)

Friday, Jan. 24.
DURANT v. ARNOLD.
Practice-Administration action-Parties having
liberty to attend-Costs.

IN the course of the argument, the Vice-Chancellor said that, with reference to a statement that had appeared lately, he wished to make a statement as to the practice in his chambers in administration actions. The first thing the chief clerk had to do was always to determine who are to attend, and no one was ever allowed to attend at the expense of the parties, except by special leave. It might have been supposed, from what the Master of the Rolls had said to Lord Justice James, that there was some difference bebers and that in those of the Master of the tween the practice in the Vice-Chancellor's chamRolls; but the Vice-Chancellor wished to state that the practice in his chambers was, and always had been, precisely the same.

APPOINTMENTS UNDER THE JOINT-STOCK
WINDING-UP ACTS.

GROSVENOR TURKISH BATH COMPANY (LIMITED).-Creditors
to send in by Feb. 26, their names and addresses, and the
particulars of their claims, and the names and addresses
of their solicitors (if any), to G. Hancock, SA, New-inn,
Middlesex, the official liquidator of the said company.
March 12. at the chambers of V.C. H., at twelve o'clock,
is the time appointed for hearing and adjudicating upon
such claims.

GOHENBURG COMMERCIAL COMPANY (LIMITED).-Petition
for winding-up to be heard Feb. 7, before V.C. M.
HANDSWORTH SKATING RINK COMPANY (LIMITED.)-Credi
tors to send in, by March 1. their names and addresses, and
the particulars of their claims, and the names and ad-
dresses of their solicitors (if any), to J. M. Garland, 1,
Imperial Chambers, Coleman-row, Birmingham, the
official liquidator of the said company. March 19, at the
chambers of the M. R., at twelve o'clock, is the time
appointed for hearing and adjudicating upon such
claims.
INDEMNITY FIRE OFFICE (LIMITED).-Petition for winding-
up to be heard Feb. 1, before the M.R.
LIVERPOOL AND LONDON GUARANTEE AND ACCIDENT IN-
SURANCE COMPANY (LIMITED).-Petition for winding-up
to be heard Feb. 1, before the M.R.
MANCHESTER SUGAR REFINING COMPANY (LIMITED).--Peti-
tion for winding-up to be heard Feb. 7, before V.C. M.
SHAND AND COMPANY (LIMITED).-Petition for winding-up
to be heard Feb. 1, before the M.R.

STANHOPE SILKSTONE COLLIERIES (LIMITED).-Petition for
winding-up to be heard Feb. 1, before the M.R.
TYNEMOUTH AQUARIUM AND WINTER GARDEN COMPANY
(Limited).-Petition for winding-up to be heard Feb. 1,
before the M.R.

their names and addresses, and the particulars of their claims, and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any), to H. Brett, 150, Leadenhall-street, London, and J. Waddell, Mansion House-chambers, London, the liquidators of the said company, before V.C. H. CREDITORS UNDER ESTATES IN CHANCERY.

LAST DAY OF PROOF.

ARBUTHNOT (Hon. Charlotte E.), Woodford House, North-
ampton. March 1; Hemsley and Hemsley, solicitors, 5,
Courtyard, Albany, Piccadilly, Middlesex. March 14;
V.C. H., at one o'clock.

THE Bolton Law Society, founded in 1826, one of
the best managed law societies in the country, has
just been incorporated under the title of
Bolton Incorporated Law Society." The objects TEA COMPANY (LIMITED).-Creditors to send in by Feb. 5,
of the society are declared in the memorandum of
association to be seven in number: of these the
chief are, first, "The support and protection
of the character, status, and interests of the
solicitors and notaries practising within a circuit
having a radius of five miles from the Town Hall
at Bolton, the promotion of honourable practice,
the repression of malpractice, the settlement of
disputed points of practice, and the decision of all
questions of professional usage or courtesy, in
conducting legal business of all kinds;" and fifthly,
"The encouragement of the study of the law by
the articled clerks of solicitors," &c.
solicitors have signed the memorandum, and the
remaining members of the now defunct society
will join the incorporated society under article 6.
Following the articles of association comes the
licence by the Board of Trade pursuant to the
23rd section of the Companies Act 1867, and then
the certificate of incorporation issued by the
Registrar of Joint-Stock Companies. The associa-
tion is, of course, a limited company within the
meaning of the Companies Act 1862, but by the
licence of the Board of Trade the word "Limited"
is omitted from the name of the society, and pro-
perly so.

Thirty-two

MR. CHARLES PIDCOCK, of Worcester, has been
elected by the council of the Incorporated Law
Society U.K. an extraordinary member of that
body, under the provisions of the supplemental
charter of 1872. The learned gentleman is the
newly-elected president of the Worcester and
Worcestershire Law Society, and was admitted in
Hilary Term 1833. He has two sons in the Profes-
sion, both in practice at Worcester as partners of
their father.

under "Law Reports" that the Queen's Bench
THE Times of Wednesday contained a statement
Division had been occupied all day Tuesday in

BRAND (Mary C. L.), Cumberland House, Shepherd's Bush,
Middlesex, and of Brighton, Sussex. Feb. 25; W. Morris,
solicitor, 31, Bedford-row, Middlesex. March 11; M.R., at
eleven o'clock.
CAMPBELL (Frances J.), 19, Brunswick-road, Brighton,
spinster. Feb. 25; C. M. Wade, solicitor, 4, St. Helen's
place, London. March 11; M. R., at eleven o'clock.
DE PEREDA (Vicente M.), 19, Priory-road, Kilburn, Middle-
sex, Esq. March 10; G. T. Huntley, solicitor, 191, Tooley-
street, London Bridge, Surrey. March 21; V.C. H., at
twelve o'clock.

Feb. 28;

FAIRFASE (Wm. H.), 13, Crooked-lane, London, brick mer
chant. March 1; E. J. Layton, solicitor, 29, Budge-row,
London. March 13; V. C.H., at one o'clock.
HUTCHINS (Allen G.), Biggleswade, innkeeper.
W.G. C. Mitchell, solicitor, Bedford. March 14; V. C.H.,
at twelve o'clock.
JOHNSTONE (Jas.), late of 103, Shoe-lane, Fleet-street, and
23, St. Bride-street, London, and Hooley House, Coulsden,
Surrey, formerly of Bickley, Kent, and Ranelagh House,
Fulham, Middlesex, newspaper proprietor. Feb. 28; J. A.
Rose, solicitor, 11, Salisbury-street, Strand, Middlesex.
March 14; V.C, M., at twelve o'clock.
JOHNSON (Jno.), Leeds, brewer. Feb. 14; Thos. Turner,
solicitor, Leeds. Feb. 21; V.C. B., at twelve o'clock.
MINTON (Wm.), Stourbridge. Feb. 15; George Perry,
solicitor, Stourbridge. Feb. 24; V.C. M., at twelve
o'clock.

NICHOLSON (Wm.), Holme Head, Penrith, farmer. Feb. 20:

Jno. Wm. Fenwick, solicitor, North Shields; Feb. 27:
V.C. B., at twelve o'clock.

ROBINSON (Jno. P.), 145, Newington-causeway, Surrey, and

10, Grainger-street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and 4, Portlandterrace, Jesmond-road, Newcastle-on-Tyne, boot and shoe 'dealer, milliner, and retailer of baby linen. Feb. 25; J. Denison, solicitor, 72, Grey-street, Newcastle-uponTyne. March 11; M.R., at eleven o'clock. RICHARDSON (Wm.), Warwick, near Carlisle, gentleman. Feb. 28; Jno. H. Brown, solicitor, Carlisle. March 5; V.C. H., at twelve o'clock.

SYKES (Jno.), Bradford, spindle and fly maker, and patent steel cap maker. Feb. 21; Jno. K. Jefferey, solicitor, Bradford, March 7; M.R., at eleven o'clock.

SNEYD (Jane R.), 21, Eaton-terrace, Eaton-square, Middle-port from the Profession. Mr. F. J. Leslie, the
sex, widow. March 1; R. Wright, solicitor, 57, Lincoln's-
inn-fields, Middlesex.

THE advice which was given to the law students of Liverpool by Mr. T. H. Baylis, Q.C., on a recent occasion when presiding at the annual meeting of the Law Students' Society there, deserves the attention of all law students. It amounted to this: when studying, do a little well and thoroughly rather than read through a law book eager to get to the end of it as quickly as possible. We have no hesitation in saying that, as far as it went, Mr. MEPHAM (Joel), 18, Fulham-place, Paddington, Middlesex, Baylis's advice was sound, and should be acted

BRADFORD LAW STUDENTS' SOCIETY.

AN ordinary meeting of this society was held at
the Society's Rooms, West Riding Court-house,
Hall Ings, Bradford, Mr. W. B. Gordon in the
chair. After settling the preliminaries for the
mock trial, the meeting proceeded to the subject
for debate. The question was, "Is government
by party desirable?" Mr. Wheelwright (hon.
sec.) opened the debate in the affirmative, Mr.
Hird leading in the negative. Messrs. Barton and
W. L. Moore also took part in the debate. After
the chairman had summed up, the question was
decided in the affirmative by a majority of four.
The Bradford Society will probably, later in the
session, have a friendly discussion with the Leeds
Society.

DEWSBURY, WAKEFIELD, AND DISTRICT
LAW STUDENTS' SOCIETY.

That

A

THE sixth meeting of the session was held on
Friday, the 24th Jan., at the National School,
School-street, in Dewsbury. In the absence of the
appointed chairman, Mr. Samuel Brearley was
elected to the chair. Before the business of the
evening commenced, the hon. secretary (Mr. Law)
proposed, and Mr. Dickinson seconded,
J. Bayldon Walker, Esq., barrister-at-law, Leeds,
be elected an honorary member of this society,
which was carried unanimously. The following
moot point was the subject for discussion:
testator devises his property to his wife, to be at
her disposal, in any way she may think best, for
the benefit of herself and family. Does the widow
take absolutely, so as to be able to give the whole
of the property from the family?' Mr. Janson
opened the debate on behalf of the affirmative,
and was supported by Mr. Blakeley; Mr. Law
took the opposite view, and was supported by Mr.
Tweedale. Several other gentlemen took part in
the discussion, and Mr. Janson having replied,
the chairman summed up. The question having
been put to the meeting, was decided in favour of
the negative by a majority of three votes. A vote
of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to
a close.

LAW STUDENTS' DEBATING SOCIETY. THIS Society held its usual weekly meeting at the Law Institution, Chancery-lane, on Tuesday evening last, the 29th ult., Mr. T. B. Napier, LL.B., in the chair. The question was: In view of the prevailing agricultural distress, should parties to a contract of tenancy be rendered unable to contract themselves out of the Agricultural Holdings Act 1875?" Mr. F. J. Green opened the debate, supporting the affirmative, and urging that view as being most in the interest of tenant farmers. Mr. S. J. Montagu followed in an able speech in the negative, and Mr. Royle also took the same side. In the discussion that ensued the negative found the majority of supporters; but at the close of the meeting the question was put to the society, and the votes being equal, it was ultimately decided in the affirmative by the casting vote of the chairman.

LEEDS LAW STUDENTS' SOCIETY.

THE second ordinary meeting for the latter half of session 1878-9 of this society was held on Monday, the 27th ult., at 7.30 p.m., in the rooms of the Leeds Law Institute, at which E. Wilson, Esq., presided. On the conclusion of the society's necessary ordinary business, Mr. Thompson continued his address on the Bills of Sale Act 1878, briefly recapitulating his former remarks delivered at the society's two previous meetings, and carefully going through the rest of the Act, noticing in turn the various changes it was likely to bring about. At the conclusion of the address there followed a discussion on the whole subject; questions being raised by the meeting and kindly answered by the lecturer. A vote of thanks was then proposed by Mr. Meredith, and seconded by Mr. Shaw, and carried unanimously, in favour of Mr. Thompson, for having so kindly given the series of addresses to the society. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.

who

Mr. J. W. Woodward, solicitor, was elected. The question appointed for discussion was "That any material annexation to our Indian Empire is both morally and politically indefensible." Mr. W. H. Stevenson, supported by Mr. J. A. H. Green, in the absence of Mr. E. Hind, opened the debate and was followed by Mr. W. P. W. Phillimore, B.A., (in the absence of Mr. P. Woodward) and Mr. W. H. Bamford, who opened the negative side of question. Messrs. H. L. Swift, A. J. Stevenson, and J. T. Perry who followed, supported the negative. On the question being put to the vote the negative was unanimously carried.

PLYMOUTH, STONEHOUSE, AND DEVON

PORT LAW STUDENTS' SOCIETY.
AT the last meeting of this society, held at the
Athenæum, Plymouth, on the 24th ult., T. Wolfer-
stan, Esq., presiding, the following subject was
discussed: "What is the best mode of administer-
ing relief to the poor, and should it be an imperial

or local administration?" Mr. W. L. Walkem
was appointed to open the debate, and Messrs. J.
Ashford and A. F. Holman to speak on the ques-
Afterwards there was a very animated
tion.
debate, in which several members took part, the
majority, however, being of opinion that in-door
relief is preferable to the out-door, and that it
would tend greatly for the benefit of the poor if
there were an universal poor rate throughout the
country, and not so varied as it is at present.

T. H. Baylis, Esq., Q.C. There was a large | Vice-President in the chair: one new member,
attendance. After the transaction of formal
business the chairman delivered an address. He
expressed the gratification he felt at being present,
and said he thought he could not do better than
endeavour to convey to his hearers something of
a long experience. If there could be one town
more than another in which sound instruction
for solicitors was required it would be Liverpool.
Liverpool too had a local Bar of very high
standing, which he hoped to see increase. He
would recommend to students the necessity of
reading up the law cases of the day, to
have a knowledge of recent cases, not only
those in the law reports, but those in other
reports. Especially, he would say, read the appeal
cases. Whatever was done should be well done; it
was only what was done well which created a
He would
lasting impression on the memory.
rather give a prize at an examination to the man
who answered the first ten questions in the paper
well, than to one who answered them all, but not
carefully because the former, if he had more
time, would no doubt answer them all well. In
reference to the books to be read, the road to
learning, to be made easy, must be made popular
and inviting. As a child begins with the A B C,
so older persons should begin by reading some-
thing in which they take an interest. Those
were very fond of sporting should take
up the law on that subject, and work it out
well. The study of the law should be made as
interesting as possible. Those who took up a
book and read it straight through did not make it
inviting, and probably did not remember much of
it. The heads and titles of the chapters and the
general scope of the book should be looked at and
considered before it was read. Especially, said
the speaker, leave off when tired. Do not go to
sleep with the mind incumbered by work. If the
work must be done, get up in the morning and do
it. A solicitor, too, should not be a mere book-
worm, but should have a good general knowledge.
If there was one thing of more value to a law
student than another it was accuracy. This could
only be secured by care. If there was anything to
be done, even if it were only a letter to
write, let it be read over a second or a third
time. In alluding to the objects of the society he
dealt upon the advantages of acquiring a habit of
speaking. Every man could speak if he would
work up the subject. Generally, a well-trained
mind would always find something to say.
must have self-reliance to speak. People were
rather apt to sympathise with a nervous man, and
this alone should give him confidence. In refer-
ence to the lectures he thought that one could
hardly over-estimate the advantages of holding an
examination at the close of a course of lectures.
It kept up the interest and the attendance.
lecture should be carefully digested. If a diffi-
culty was found it should be successfully attacked
before proceeding further.

Men

Each

The speaker went on to allude to the highly satisfactory position of the association and the number of prizemen among its members, and concluded a very interesting address by again expressing his pleasure in being present.

The adoption of the annual report was then moved by Mr. H. H. Bremner, barrister, who expressed a high opinion of the advantages of lectures, and alluded to the opportunities offered to law students in London of attending the lectures of the most eminent members of the Profession. The motion was seconded by Mr. Broadbridge, and the report unanimously adopted.

Mr. F. J. Leslie was then re-elected hon. sec. and Mr. Banner hon. treasurer. Ten members of committee were also elected.

Mr. W. R. Kennedy, barrister, moved a resolution expressing approval of the objects of law students' societies. He spoke strongly upon the duty of law societies to provide some system of legal education for articled clerks, and expressed his surprise that this had not been done. The greatest credit was due to articled clerks for the action they had themselves taken. The motion was unanimously carried, being seconded in a cordial speech by Mr. H. L. Gregory, solicitor, who indorsed Mr. Kennedy's remarks as to the neglect of their duty by the law societies.

The proceedings terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, moved by Mr. Leslie, seconded by Mr. Wilson. The chairman, in reply, announced his intention of giving a prize to the association.

NOTTINGHAM LAW STUDENTS' SOCIETY. THE following gentlemen have been elected to serve as officers of this society for the present year: the honorary president, Richard Wildman, Esq., the Recorder of Nottingham (re-elected); president, Richard Enfield, Esq., solicitor; vicepresident, Harry Wyles, Esq., solicitor; secretary, Mr. W. P. W. Phillimore, B.A.; treasurer, Mr. LIVERPOOL LAW STUDENTS' ASSOCIA-W. H. Heath; committeemen, Messrs. J. C. Warren, M.A., and J. T. Perry; auditor, Mr. J. Marriott. The first meeting of the present year was held at the Guildhall, on the 24th inst., the

TION.

THE annual meeting of this association was held on Monday, Jan. 13. The chair was occupied by

SHEFFIELD DISTRICT LAW STUDENTS'
SOCIETY.

THIS Society held its usual weekly meeting on
Tuesday, the 28th Jan.. Mr. W. B. Esam in the
chair. The subject for the evening's debate was
as follows: "A. takes a train from London,
announced in the time-tables as arriving at Trent
at 10.15, intending there to catch the 10.30 to a
town in the district, where he has an appoint-
ment. The train from London is so late that he
misses the 10.30, and has to drive to his appoint-
ment at an extra cost of 15s. Can he recover
this sum from the company? (Denton v. Great
Northern Railway Company, 5 El. & Bl. 860;
notes to Hadley v. Baxendale, 1 S. L. C.)" A
very good discussion ensued, in which most of
the members present took part. After an able
summing up by the chairman, the question was
decided in the affirmative by a majority of three.

UNITED LAW STUDENTS' SOCIETY. A MEETING of this society was held at the Law Institution on Monday the 27th ult., Mr. E. H. Quicke in the chair. Mr. T. Eustace Smith read a paper on the Bills of Sale Act 1878. A discussion ensued, in which Messrs. Moyle, Wilson, Hickson, Gatey, Owen, and Quicke joined, several members speaking at considerable length.

The ordinary weekly meeting of the society took place at Clement's-inn Hall, Strand, on Wednes day the 29th ult. Mr. E. H. Quicke presided. Mr. A. H. Spokes, B.A., LL.B., opened the subject for the evening's debate, That the House of Commons should be by law required to be renewed at shorter intervals than seven years." Messrs. Synnott, Carpenter, and S. A. Jones supported the motion, but the greater number of speakers opposed it; Messrs. Parsons, Law, and R. B. D. Acland (Oxford Union), John M. Hall (Cambridge Union), O. H. Hardy (Hardwicke), A. A. Tobin, and R. G. Templer (visitors) taking the negative view, and, on the question being put to the meeting, it was lost by a majority of three.

Students' Oneries.

THE BAR GENERAL EXAMINATION.-At the recent

examination no less than 40 per cent, of the examinees
A BAR STUDENT.
severity on the part of the examiners?
[Not necessarily. We commend the fact to the
attention of the Law Society.-ED. STUD.'S DEPT.]

were sent back. Does not this indicate excessive

EMPLOYMENT DURING ARTICLES.-Since being articled I have had offered to me the appointment of organist at an average salary, but declined it on the ground that the cost of obtaining an order under sects. 4, 5, and 6 of the Solicitors Act 1874 would be too great to warrant such a proceeding; the holding of such appointment not engaging me during office hours. (1) I have noticed "P.'s" query in your last week's issue and shall be glad if you will inform me what would be the probable cost of obtaining such an order? (2) Whether the appointment brought any pecuniary benefit or not, it appears to me that an order would M. require to be obtained; am I right in this? [You would advise yourself well to obtain such an order. It would cost about a guinea.-ED. Srun,'s

DEPT.]

INTERMEDIATE EXAMINATION.-E. S. GOODING.-[In January 1881.-ED. STUD.'S DEPT.]

INTERMEDIATE EXAMINATION 1881.-Can you inform me what books are set for the intermediate examina tion in 1881 ? AN ARTICLED CLERK. [They will not be announced by the Law Society until July 1830.-ED. STUD.'s Derr.]

GUIDE TO STEPHEN'S COMMENTARIES.-Do you know when Bedford's Students' Guide to Stephen's Commentaries will be ready? Do you know of any guide now ready? C. [Bedford's Students' Guide is advertised in this week's LAW TIMES.-ED. STUD.'S DEPT.]

STUDENTS' SOCIETIES.-Will you inform me whether there is an Articled Clerks' Corresponding Society now existing? and if so, the name and address of the secretary? D. M. HENRY.

[The United Law Student's Society, Mr. Owen, hon. sec. Clements Inn Hall, Strand, London, W.C.-ED. STUD.'S DEPT.]

Correspondence.

LECTURE HALL AT LAW INSTITUTION.-You will confer a favour on many students if you will call attention in your next issue to the defective state of the arrangement for excluding draught from the Hall of the Incorporated Law Society, in which the lectures are delivered on Thursday evenings. Many gentlemen last night found it necessary to turn up their coat collars, and some even to wear their overcoats in the room in order

to protect themselves from the current of cold air
which came apparently from the windows at the end
of the room.
CHARLES STEEL.

THE BENCH AND THE BAR.

CALLS TO THE BAR.

The undermentioned gentlemen were on Monday

called to the Bar:

MAGISTRATES' LAW.

NOTES OF NEW DECISIONS.
SALMON FISHERY-FISHING MILLDAM SINCE
1861-OBSTRUCTION TO FISH-24 & 25 VICT.
c. 109, s. 20.-The appellant, a miller, was con-
victed by justices under sect. 20 of the Salmon
Fishery Act 1861 for not causing to be removed
and carried away from the waters within his
fisheries all obstructions to the free passage of fish
in or through his cruives, cribs, and boxes during
the annual close time. It was proved that.
although there were now at the appellant's mill-
dam no appliances for taking fish, the place was
used until 1862, after the passing of the Act. for
that purpose, and that there remained still a
broken box with fenders over openings of the
required size, the bars and cribs having been
removed from the weir at that time. When the
fenders were down, or partially down, as upon the
occasion charged against the appellant, it was now
impossible for the fish to ascend to the higher
waters; but the appellant's mill would be ruin-
ously injured by lifting the fenders during the
whole of the annual close time. Held (upon a case
stated), that there was no ground for the appel-
lant's milldam being now a fishing milldam because
it had continued to be so after the passing of the
Act of 1861: that sect. 20 did not apply, and that
Pike (app.) v. Rossiter (resp.) (37 L. T. Rep. 635)
the justices were wrong in convicting the appellant.
Rep. N. S. 496. Q.B.)
discussed and followed: (Rossiter v. Pike (39 L. T.

REAL PROPERTY AND
CONVEYANCING.

NOTES OF NEW DECISIONS.
LANDLORD AND TENANT-SURRENDER OF
LEASE BY OPERATION OF LAW PENDING
AGREEMENT FOR A NEW TENANCY-TENDER OF
RENT, WHEN UNCONDITIONAL. — - The plaintiff.
while lessee of five rooms from the defendants for

COMPANY LAW.

NOTES OF NEW DECISIONS. CONTRIBUTORY-FULLY PAID-UP SHARES.A company agreed with W., a newspaper proprietor, for the issue of advertisements, provided he was willing to accept payment of his account in Advertisements were infully paid-up shares. serted, and shares, purporting to be fully paid up, were issued. But the contract was not registered as required by the 25th section of the Companies Act 1867. A bill was sent in for the advertisements and receipted thus: 'Paid in scrip. T. White, for J. B." Further advertisements were inserted, in pursuance of a similar contract; but no shares were issued. Held, that W. was within the principle of Spargo's case (28 L. T. Rep. N. S. 153; L. Rep. 8 Ch. 407), and was not liable for calls on the shares issued to him-being entitled to a set-off, which he could plead as payment in respect of the advertisements inserted. Held also, that he was entitled to prove in the liquidation for the amount due for the further advertisements in respect of which no shares had been allotted to him: (White's case, 39 L. T. Rep. N. S. 553. V.C. Hall.)

BANKRUPTCY LAW.

BANKRUPTCY REFORM.
THE following very important memorial on the
amendment of the present bankruptcy law has
been sent to the First Lord of the Treasury by
fifty of the leading merchants and banking houses
in the City. It cannot fail to obtain the earnest
attention of the Government, and we should
imagine that the court which is urged as necessary
might without difficulty be established. As we
have repeatedly said, no reform is more urgently
needed, for the present system of dealing with
insolvent estates positively fosters business cor-
ruption :-

"To the Right Hon. the Earl of Beaconsfield, K.G.,
First Lord of the Treasury.
"The memorial of the undersigned bankers and
merchants of the City of London, showeth,-

INNER TEMPLE.-Walter Thomas Wragg, Esq., B.A., Oxford; Weatherley Phipson, Esq., B.A., Oxford; Wordsworth Donisthorpe, Esq., Cambridge; James Walker Hartley, Esq., B.A., Cambridge; Frederick Percy Gosling, Esq., B.A., Oxford; Rishibar Mukerji, Esq.; Arthur Antwis Hopkins, Esq., B.A., Cambridge; Archibald FitzGerald Law, Esq., Oxford; Richard Arthur Roberts, Esq., London; Stanley Carr Boulter, Esq., Cambridge; Charles Martin Esq., LL.B., Cambridge; Sydney George Holland, Esq., LL.B., Cambridge; Francis Lauder Muirhead, Esq., London: Woopendra Mohan Dás, Esq.; Frederic Morgan Humfrey, Esq., M.A., Oxford; James a term, entered into negotiations with them by Abram M'Carthy, Esq. (holder of a Pupil Scholar- which he was to hold three only of the rooms at a ship in Common Law, awarded by the Inner diminished rent, and on the next quarter-day paid Temple, July 1878); Henry de Vere Vane, Esq., and took a receipt for rent at the lesser rate. B.A., Oxford; Richard Solomon, Esq., B.A., Cam- There was evidence that the parties intended a That your memorialists are, and have been for bridge; John Hilton Ireland, Esq., B.A., Cam-written agreement to be prepared, embodying the many years, largely engaged in banking and combridge Archibald Walter Fawkes, Esq., B.A., terms of the new arrangement, but they ulti-merce, and, by reason of the extent and character Cambridge: William Hayes Fisher, Esq., B.A., mately disagreed, and such agreement was never, of their transactions, have had ample means of Oxford; Henry Robert Knipe, Esq., LL.B., Cam- in fact, signed. On the following quarter-day the observing the effect of the Bankruptcy Act of bridge (holder of a Pupil Scholarship in Common defendants claimed rent of the plaintiff under the 1869, both as regards creditors and debtors; and Law, awarded by the Inner Temple, January old lease, which he repudiated. There was evidence your memorialists have to represent to your Lord1877); and George Loyd Foster Harter, Esq., that the plaintiff had given up possession of two of ship, and the Government of which you are the B.A., Oxford. Held, that the jury were justified in head, that the experience of every year adds finding that there was a new tenancy, and there- largely to the body of disastrous facts which show fore that there was a surrender by operation of that the speedy amendment of the Act of 1869 has become one of the most urgent necessities of the law. The plaintiff tendered rent to the defendants, his landlords, with the words," Here is your quar- time, both in the interest of the mercantile class ter's rent." Held, that this did not require the and for the maintenance of that high tone of comlandlords to make any admission as to the amount mercial morals and honour for which this country has been distinguished. due, as a condition of its receipt, and was therefore a good tender: (Jones v. Bridgman, 39 L. T. Rep. N. S. 500. C.P.)

MIDDLE TEMPLE.-W. R. Burkitt, Esq., M.A., Dublin University; N. L. Haldar, Esq., Christ's College, Cambridge; H. O. Moore, Esq., B.A., Dublin University; H. Newson, Esq., LL.B. with Honours, University of London (holder of a Scholarship in International Law, awarded by the Middle Temple); J. P. Everard, Esq., B.A., Dublin University; W. E. Saunders, Esq. (holder of a Scholarship in Common Law, awarded by the Middle Temple); A. H. Britton, Esq.; H. Rimington Wilson, Esq., B.A., Trinity College, Cambridge; Roland Butler, Esq. B.A., Queen's College, Oxford; J. A. Scully, Esq., B.A., University of London (holder of a Scholarship in Equity, awarded by the Middle Temple): P. T. Pulman, Esq., B.A., Pembroke College, Oxford; and W. A. Burn, Esq.

LINCOLN'S-INN. Hugh McNab Humphry, Esq., B.A., Oxford; Frank Kingsford, Esq., B.A., Oxford; Richard Wallis Cory, Esq., B.A., Oxford; Henry William Thomas Bowyear, Esq., B.A.[Cambridge; Charles Carmichael Lacaita, Esq., M.A., Oxford; James Gow, jun., Esq., M.A., Cambridge, Fellow of Trinity College: Afred Romilly, Esq. late of Trinity College, Cambridge; Archibald Cass, Esq., B.A., London University; George Heywood Maunoir Sumner, Esq., B.A., Oxford; William Henry Hastings Kelke, Esq., M.A., Oxford: Henry Whitworth Andrew, Esq., B.A., Cambridge; Henry Eugene Taunton-Collins, Esq.; of Hertford College, Oxford; James Russell Swift, Esq.; and Frederick Whinney, jun., Esq; (Studentship in Jurisprudence and Roman Civil Law, C.L.E., Trinity Term 1876; Lincoln's-inn Scholarship in Common Law, 1878), B.A., Oxford,

Vinerian Scholar.

GRAY'S-INN.-William Tyndall Barnard, jun., Esq.; William Symon, Esq., M.A., St. Andrew's University.

THE WHITESIDE MEMORIAL.-The execution of the statue of the late Chief Justice Whiteside has been entrusted to Mr. Brock, the eminent London sculptor. It will occupy a place in the Four Courts Hall, and will be somewhat similar to that of Lord Plunket, which stands near the entrance of the Court of Chancery. Mr. J. T. Miles, of the Metropolitan School of Art, has been commissioned by Mr. Brock to furnish him with a sketch and dimensions of the Plunket statute.

the rooms.

DISCRETION OF TRUSTEES-UNCONTROLLED

AND IRRESPONSIBLE-INTERFERENCE BY

THE

COURT.-By the marriage settlement of A. and his
wife, dated in 1868, a fund was settled by the
husband in trust for himself for life, with remain
ders in trust for the wife and children. Power was
given to the trustees to raise out of the funds a
sum of money to purchase the husband's life
interest to be held by them upon trust, if they
should in their "uncontrolled and irresponsible
discretion think fit, but not otherwise, to pay
the income towards the maintenance and personal
support of A. and his wife and children, or of such
in such manner and in such shares as the trustees
one or more of them to the exclusion of the others
should think proper during the life of A. A.'s
wife brought no property into settlement. The
trustees purchased A.'s life interest under the
power. Subsequently, in 1875, A.'s wife was
obliged to live apart from him owing to his intem-
perate habits. The income being £360 per annum,
the trustees paid £60 per annum for maintaining
the whole of the rest to A.
the only child of the marriage at school, and paid
A. paid nothing
towards the support of his wife, who was wholly
destitute. Held, that the court could not, in the
absence of mala fides on the part of the trustees,
interfere with their discretion: (Tabor v. Brooks,
39 L. T. Rep. N. S. 528. V.C. Malins.)

WILL-GIFT TO CHILDREN OF A. AND CHIL-
DREN OF B. AS SHALL ATTAIN TWENTY-FIVE-
ATTAINMENT OF THE AGE BY A CHILD IN TESTA-
TOR'S LIFETIME.-Testator gave realty and per-
sonalty to trustees on trust for such of the children
of his daugher A. and the children of his daughter
B. as should attain twenty-five. At testator's
death A. and B. were living, A. having three chil-
dren who had attained twenty-five, B. having
infant children. Held, that the gift was not void
for remoteness, the class being ascertained at
testator's death: (Picken v. Matthews, 39 L. T.
Rep. N. S. 531. V.C. Malins.)

"The defects of the present bankruptcy law may be shortly stated as follows:

1. It affords new and vicious facilities to insolvent persons to escape from the reasonable control and supervision of their creditors by private arrangements wholly beyond the jurisdiction of any public court or judge. And by reason of these facilities, it is the fact that every year there is an increasing number of cases in which the grievous and dangerous scandal is exhibited of men failing for vast liabilities, and finding it easy, in consequence of the defects of the present law, to get their speedy discharge by the payment of no dividend, or a dividend of some small fraction of a pound, or even shilling, and without being affairs, or of the conduct and proceedings which subjected to any efficient investigation of their have led to their insolvency.

"2. That the present law is rendered practically nugatory, by leaving to those who have already incurred losses the investigation of the bankrupt's affairs, and has laid upon them the obligation of exposing the conduct of bankrupts, which in the plain interests of public morality and commercial policy, should be dealt with not as a private matter, but by a public court and judge. Experience has amply proved that reliance on creditors to perform these onerous and costly functions is entirely futile. The Bankruptcy Act of 1861 did contain in clause 159 provisions for the interference and action of the court in all cases of misconduct on the part of the bankrupt, with a view to his exposure and punishment; but in consequence of the failure of legislation to provide an efficient court and judge, these most salutary provisions were never enforced.

"3. That owing to the rapid growth and increasing complexities of modern business, as carried on by private partnerships and joint-stock companies, limited and unlimited, English and foreign, it has become perfectly clear that until there is established a court of bankruptcy under the presidency of a judge, distinguished as a mercantile lawyer, and free to give his whole time