LIBERATOR BUILDING SOCIETY SCANDALS

DEATH OF J. W. HOBBS. (6y Telegraph.—Press Association.- -Copyright.) LONDON, 23rd June. The death has occurred of Jameß W. Hobbf, who wa-s prominent in the Liberator • Building Society scandals m J892, and who was released from prison in 1898, on the ground of ill-health. 'The Condon and General Bank (established in 1882, under the influence of Mr. Jabez Balfonr), together with the Liberator Building Society, failed in October, 1892, and caused great national distress. The liabilities amounted to £8,360,804, and the supposed assets were about £3,000.000. Jabez Balfour, who wa-s accused of frafld, absconded in De* cember, 1892, and was arrested near Buenos Aires in 'January, 1894, .and taken back to England. Hobb*, whose death is recorded in the cablegram, was sentenced in March, 1893, to twelve gears' penal servitude for forgery, and five years (concurrently) for fraud. He was released in January, 1898.]