QSR1895/4/5/1/d

Depositions of William Chamberlain, Henry William Baigent, Frederick William Stannard and William Shaw. In the case of William Syers, accused of obtaining sums of money by false pretences.

3 August 1895

From: 1895 To: 1895

William Chamberlain [Cross-Examined] He found a card in the prisoner’s pocket and one in the prisoner’s apartment. Henry William Baigent: a solicitor’s clerk employed by Mr. Hughes, living in London. The prisoner used to come to the office where he worked. He had known the prisoner about 3 months ago when the prisoner called into the office where he worked. The prisoner asked him to sign a Memorandum and Articles of Association. He signed the document for the purpose of registration. The prisoner was to make him a presentation of a share on the signing of the articles. He attended a meeting of the company on the 17th June. In attendance were the prisoner, Mr. Stannard and Mr. Shaw. This was the only meeting that he attended. The minutes were written at the meeting by Mr. Stannard. He signed some documents though he could not say that they were filled in when he signed them. He did not authorise the prisoner to sign any documents in his name. He did not receive his share which he had been promised. He did not authorise his name to be used on the publication of the circular. He took no part in the managing of the company beyond signing the certificates and was not consulted about the affairs of the company. [Cross-Examined] He was not going to take any part in the company when the directors were appointed. An article clerk named Mr. Harris drew up the share certificate of the company. The prisoner would go to Mr. Harris first, except for his last few visits where he went directly to him. The Articles and Memorandum of Association were drawn in the office around the same time. He considered the prisoner’s company to be genuine. He signed the minute book at the meeting where no suggestion for a further meeting was made. The prisoner said that the other signatories were unable to attend the meeting, but that he would obtain their signatures after. There was no talk at the meeting of appointing new directors. [Re-Examined] His firm did not register the prisoner’s company. He signed the 4 share certificates after the meeting of the 17th June. The draft Memorandum and Articles of Association were fair drafts which were produced in his office. Frederick William Stannard: A copying clerk, employed by Mr. Hughes, living in London. He became acquainted with the prisoner about 3 months ago when the prisoner called into the office where he worked. He signed a document which the prisoner had given him, on the assurance that he assumed no responsibility and that one share would be given to him. He did not receive the share certificate. He was present at the meeting on the 17th June where he wrote the minutes of the meeting. Beyond the meeting he has not taken any part in the company nor has he been consulted on the affairs of the company. He did not authorise his name to be placed on the circular. [Cross-Examined] The prisoner did not dictate the minutes but he made suggestions. William Shaw: Employed by Mr. Hughes and living in London. He first knew the prisoner about April last year through his calling at the office about some premises to let. The prisoner spoke to him about a coal company. He signed the document and also the Articles of Association. He was to have a share for signing the documents. He did not receive the share. He attended the meeting on the 17th June and signed the minutes. Apart from signing the above documents he had not taken any further part in the company nor has he been consulted about its affairs. He did not authorise his name to be published in the circular and was not consulted about it by the prisoner. [Cross-Examined] He knew that the Memorandum and the Articles of Association were drawn in Mr. Hughes office. He therefore did not have any objection to his name appearing as a matter of formality but he believed his responsibility ceased at the meeting on the 17th June. [Re-Examined] It was after the meeting that he saw the document. William Syers: Nothing to say

item

Chamberlain, William,
Baigent, Henry William,
Stannard, Frederick William,
Shaw, William,
Syers, William

LUTON, London, false pretences, money