The New York Herald (European Edition) - Wednesday, September 25, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE AFFAIRS OF OSCAR WILDE.
WILDE’S BANKRUPTCY.
The Prisoner’s Solicitor Asks for an Ad-journment and
Proposes Payment in Full.
[BY THE HERALD'S SPECIAL WIRE.]
LONDON, Sept. 25.––There was a great muster at the Bankruptcy Court yesterday morning, attracted by the prospect of the public examination of Oscar Wilde.
The usual audience there consists of two reporters, the official receiver and three bankrupts. Yesterday, says the Sun, there was not standing room.
Wilde was brought up from Wandsworth in the usual manner, but was not brought into court.
Mr. J.P. Grain applied for the adjournment of the case for a date as late as possible. He said the debtor had filed a statement of his affairs, showing a total indebtedness of £3,591 and no assets. Already sums had been subscribed, and he believed by the end of the adjournment a sum would be obtained sufficient to pay all the creditors in full with one exception. That Mr. Grain explained was the claim of the trustees under Wilde’s marriage settlement. They some years ago lent him £1,000 which was to bear interest; that interest was never called up, and the total amount for which the trustees had proved against the estate was therefore £1,557. By arrangements the trustees were to accept a composition, and he believed it would be for the benefit not so much of the debtor, but of those most concerned––his wife and children. Possibly at the next sitting he might be able to make a definite proposition.
Mr. J.P. Grain applied for an adjournment. The debtor had filed a statement of affairs showing a total indebtness of £3,591 and no assets. Already sums had been subscribed, and he believed by the end of the adjournment a sum would be obtained sufficient to pay the creditors in full with one exception. That, Mr. Grain explained, was the claim of the trustees under a marriage settlement. They, some years ago, had near £1,000, which was to bear interest. The interest was never called up, and the total expenditure £1,557. By the arrangements, the debtor were to accept compositions, and he believed had he for the benefit, not so much for the debtor, or where he was most concerned, his wife and children. At the next sitting he might be able to make a new proposition. The examnination was then adjourned for November 5.
PROPOSITION TO PAY IN FULL.
The registrar was a little doubtful, it seemed, about the legality of the proposed proceedings, but Mr. Grain said they might be able to obtain enough money to pay all in full.
The official receiver, who was present, said he would not oppose Mr. Grain’s suggestion, and he assured the registrar that the delay would not injure anybody.
The examination was therefore adjourned until November 5.