Sir J. B. Davis' Bankruptcy. JUDGE MOLESWORTH IN A FIX

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 255, 1 May 1895, Page 2

Sir J. B. Davis' Bankruptcy. JUDGE MOLESWORTH IN A FIX

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]. Melbourne, April 30. Application was made to-day before M: Justice Molesworth, Judge of the Cour af Insolvency, for an unconditional die charge in the estate of Sir J. B. Davies His Honor asked if it would not be bettei to have the case decided by the Judge o the Supreme Court, whose position was permanent and who could not be inter fered with by politicians or friends, as th< County Court Judge could be. Thi Supreme Court could judge the cas< without fear or favor, bnt when t case was brought before a tribunal lik< the present one the result might be yerj unpleasant. Judge Molesworth gave t written judgment. He affirmed the opinion that Judges of the Insolvencj Courts should be as indepeudent politic, ally as judges of the Supreme Court. Il was unfair to place him in a position thai if he did his duty he would offend parsons who could be unpleasant to him. The present application was made by one whe had been a prominent politician and head of the Government department. In refusing the application of Sir J. B. Davies fcr an unconditional discharge, Judge Molesworth said it was a case of reckless speculation and gambling, and to encourage 6uch things, would be destructive to all proper ideas of commercial moralty, Premier Turner has instructed the Solicitor General to obtain from Judge Molesworth an explanation of his demands and the jmatter will ,be brought before the Cabinet.