The Times - Tuesday, August 27, 1895

LAW REPORT, AUG. 27.
HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE.
QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION.
(Sittings in Bankruptcy, before MR. A.H. WILDLY, Official Receiver.)
IN RE WILDE.

This was a first meeting of creditors under a receiving order made against Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde, described as late of 16, Tite-street, Chelsea, and now of her Majesty’s Prison, Wandsworth. The accounts showed unsecured liabilities of £2,676, and partly secured debts 915, a deficiency of 3,591 being disclosed. The assets, of which the value is not stated, comprise royalties on published literary works and plays, and a life policy. The debtor states that his income has avenged not less than £2,000 per annum derived from royalties. He is at present interested in four dramatic works, viz., Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, and The Importance of Being Earnest. He is also interested in the novel "Dorian Gray," and a book of poems entitled, "The Sphinx." The debtor further states that he had 10 per cent. Of the gross weekly receipts from the play The Importance of Being Earnest up to £1,000, and 15 per cent. on anything over that amount ; and that the royalties on Lady Windermere’s Fan did not amount to so much. As to A Woman of No Importance and The Ideal Husband, the terms were as follows:––If the receipts were over £600 and under £800 per week, he was to receive 5 per cent. ; over £800 and under £1,000, 7 1/2 per cent. ; and on anything over £1,000, 10 per cent. These royalties were all paid weekly, and, to the best of the debtor’s belief, there was nothing outstanding in respect of them at the date of his arrest. He attributed his insolvency to the failure of the legal proceedings instituted by him against the Marquis of Queensberry, and to his arrest and conviction in the recent trial of "Regina v. Wilde."

Mr. HUMPHREYS (Humphreys, Son, and Kershaw)attended on behalf of the debtor, and stated that although every effort had been made, the debtor was not at present in a position to submit an offer to the creditors.

The OFFICIAL RECEIVER having dealt with the proofs, including one by the Marquis of Queensberry for £677, stated that the debtor, in consequence of his present position, was not in attendance, it not being considered necessary to obtain an order to bring him up. The summary and observations recently issued sufficiently indicated the position of the matter, and it appeared that the debtor had been insolvent for some time past. There being no proposal before the meeting and the only course would be to pass a resolution that the debtor be adjudged bankrupt, and to elect a trustee.

The resolution for bankruptcy having been agreed to a proposal for the appointment of a trustee, was made, but negotiated by the vote of the Marquis of Queensberry, who was desirous that the matter should remain in the hands of the Official Receiver.

The proceedings then terminated.

The public examination of the debrot is fixed for September 24 next, at 11 o’clock.