The Standard - Wednesday, September 25, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE LAW COURTS
COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Registrar GIFFARD.)
THE AFFAIRS OF OSCAR WILDE.
A sitting was held for the public examination of Oscar F. O'Flahertie W. Wilde, late of Tite-street, Chelsea, and now a convict serving his sentence in Wandsworth prison. The receiving order was made upon the petition oi the Marquess of Queensberry, and the Debtor attributes his insolvency to the failure of legal proceedings taken by him against the petitioning Creditor, and to his arrest and conviction in the recent trial of "Regina v. Wilde." He states that he is a writer and dramatist, and that his income, which he estimates at 2000l., a year, has been chiefly, if not entirely, derived from royalties received on plays, and literary works written by him. — The Bankrupt was brought up in custody, but did not enter the witness box. — Mr. J. P. Grain, who appeared on his behalf, stated that he was instructed to apply for an adjournment under these circumstances. The accounts disclosed an indebtedness of 3591l., and no assets which were immediately available, although there were royalties on the Debtor's published works of plays which might be of some value. His friends, however, were coming to his assistance, and upwards of 1000l. had already been subscribed on account, with a view to the liquidation of his liabilities, and the payment in full of the Creditors other than the trustees of the marriage settlement, for whom other provision would be made. The Assistant Receiver, Mr. C. A. Pope, said he could not oppose an adjournment, the object of which was the payment of the Creditors, and he did not propose, under the circumstances, to proceed with the Debtor's examination. — The examination was thereupon adjourned to the 12th of November.
The London Bankruptcy Court was thronged yesterday when Oscar Wilde was called for public examination. The debtor was in attendance from Wandsworth Gaol, but was not brought into court. The hearing was adjourned till November 12. The receiving order was made upon the petition of the Marquess of Queensberry. The debtor attributes his insolvency to the failure of legal proceedings taken by him against the petitioning creditor, and to his arrest and conviction in the recent trial of Regina v. Wilde. He states that he is a writer and dramatic author and that his income, which he estimated at £2,000 a year, has been chiefly, if not entirely, derived from royalties received on plays and literary works written by him. Mr. Charles Russell, of the firm of Messrs. Day, Russell, and Co., appeared for the Marquess of Queensbury, the petitioning creditor, and Mr. J. P. Grain represented the debtor. Mr. Grain stated that he was instructed to apply for an adjournment under these circumstances. The accounts disclosed an indebtedness of £3,591 and no assets which were immediately available, although there were royalties on the debtor's published works and plays which might be of some future value. A subscription was being raised by the debtor's friends, and upwards of £1,000 had already been subscribed, with a view to the payment in full of the creditors other than the trustees of the marriage settlement, for whom other provision would be made. The Assistant Receiver, Mr. C. A. Pope, said that he could not oppose an adjournment the object of which was the payment of the creditors, and he did not propose, under the circumstances, to proceed with the debtor's examination. The examination was adjourned to the 12th of November.