The Standard - Wednesday, November 13, 1895

(Before Mr. Registrar LINKLATER.)
OSCAR WILDE'S EXAMINATION.

Oscar F. O'Flahertie W. Wilde, author and dramatist, and now a convict, was brought up in custody to undergo his public examination. — He estimates that his income, derived chiefly from royalties on his plays and literary works, has amounted to 2000l. a year, and he attributes his insolvency to the failure of legal proceedings instituted by him against the petitioning Creditor, the Marquess of Queensberry, and to his own arrest and conviction in the recent trial of "Regina v. Wilde." The receiving order was made in July last, and the accounts which have been filed show liabilities 3591l., and assets consisting of royalties on published literary works and plays, and a life policy, the value of which is unestimated. The Court was crowded.

The Bankrupt (for whom Mr. J. P. Grain appeared), was examined by Mr. A. H. Wildy, Official Receiver. He stated that he was 40 years of age, and that for about ten or eleven years prior to March last he bad resided at Tite-street, Chelsea. His income was derived almost entirely from royalties on his plays and literary works and had amounted to about 2000l.. a year. He kept no books of account. He estimated that his expenditure had been at the rate of about 2900l.. a year during the two or three years preceding the date of the receiving order. In July, 1893, his liabilities exceeded his assets by about 1450l.. He remembered being examined at the instance of the Official Receiver on the 29th July last, and the information which he then gave in relation to his plays and works and the royalties due thereon was substantially correct. It was usual for him to receive payment for royalties in advance, and consequently certain theatrical managers were returned in his accounts as creditors, their security consisting of the acting rights in respect of his plays.

The Official Receiver. — When did you first discover that you were unable to pay your debts in full ?

The Bankrupt. — About the time of the trial.

On further examination, Oscar Wilde adhered to his statement that his insolvency was caused by the failure of his proceedings against the Marquess of Queensberry, and his own arrest and conviction on a certain charge. On his marriage in 1884 a settlement was executed ot property belonging to his wife, and the income therefrom amounted to 800l. a year. He had a life interest in the property comprised in the settlement subject to his surviving his wife, who was 35 years of age. An advance of 1000l. had been made to him by the trustees of the settlement at 5 per cent, interest. Under his father's will, he had an interest, subject to certain contingencies, to a small property in Ireland producing from 100l. to 150l. a year. In April last the household furniture and effects at his residence in Tite-street were sold under an execution by the Sheriff. He had never been Bankrupt before, nor made any arrangement with his Creditors.

There was no opposition on the part of Creditors, and the examination was ordered to be concluded, the Bankrupt being removed in custody.