Curious County Court Case - A Rushden Cycling Firm Sue a Higham Ferrers Man
The Missing Witness Appears

His Honour Judge Snagge, sitting at the Northampton County Court on Wednesday, heard the action brought by the Lightstrung Cycle Company, Rushden, to recover £8 7s. 6d. from William Blackwell, of Higham Ferrers. The action was originally entered at Wellingborough and was subsequently remitted to Northampton, having been adjourned for the attendance of a witness named William Okins.

Mr. George Denton, C.C., of Rushden, said he traded as the Lightstrung Cycle Company.

Defendant was represented by Mr. C. J. Allinson.

Mr. Denton stated that the debt was incurred by defendant in respect of a bicycle sold to him by William Okins, who was an agent, in August, 1894. The value of the machine was £30 and a machine value £14 5s., was taken in exchange, leaving a balance of £6 5s. Within a month

and his affairs went into the hands of a trustee, Mr Poppleton, of Birmingham. The estate was then offered for sale and witness became the purchaser by tender. £146 5s. was paid by witness to Poppleton for the uncollected debts, £900 for the stock, and £1,150 for the premises.

Debtor had admitted the correctness of the account and promised to pay Albert Okins, witness's manager.

His Honour: The bankrupt Okins had no right to collect the debt.

Mr. Denton said he understood Okins had the authority from the trustee. The Judge ordered William Okins to step into the witness-box.

Okins, having been sworn, said he was a undischarged bankrupt and was employed by Poppleton to collect the debts.

After the books were examined. His Honour said that defendant had paid Okins £2 7s. 6d. as agent for the trustee.

His Honour (to plaintiff): Now you see just what has happened?

Mr. Denton: I am afraid not.

His Honour: What has happened is that you have not got what you paid for. You are

Okins, replying to the Judge, said he had not got his discharge and had not asked for it.

Plaintiff submitted that Okins and Blackwell had been in collusion over this.

Mr. Allinson said he could not allow this statement to stand.

Mr, Denton said he would prove it.

His Honour: You make a serious charge but this is not the place to prove it.

Mr. Allinson asked for costs.

His Honour: I shan't grant them.

was then entered, his Honour remarking that he remembered the facts connected with the bankruptcy. He gave leave to Mr. Allinson to ask for costs in three months, remarking that they would see what, if anything happened in the meantime.

His Honour (to Mr. Denton): You have been defrauded, but I don't think Mr. Poppleton did anything that was wrong in the matter. The bankrupt swore that the debt was due to him. Now you allege there was collusion between these two, but I have nothing to do with that. I am very sorry for you, but it is all this Court can do.