THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 22ND MAY, 1897.
(2.) Every Commissioner for taking oaths in the Supreme Court in its original jurisdiction shall be a Commissioner for taking oaths in the Court.
PART II.
THE OFFICIAL ADMINISTRATOR.
11.-(1.) It is hereby declared that the Registrar for the Registrar to time being of the Supreme Court is ex officio Öfficial Admi- be Official nistrator under this Ordinance.
(2.) In all cases the Official Administrator shall be sub- ject to the immediate control and act under the direction of the Court.
Administra-
tor.
Administra-
12. A grant of administration to the Official Adminis- Effect of grant trator, whether the name of the grantee, the officer holding to Official the appointment at the time of the grant, is or is not tor. mentioned therein, shall be deemed to have been made and to be made, as the case may be, to him and his successors in office from time to time.
office.
13. All property vested in the Official Administrator for Re-vesting of the time being by virtue of any grant of administration property on made to him or any predecessor in office or otherwise shall, vacation of on his vacating or otherwise ecasing to hold the office, be deemed to be vested in his successor without any further transfer or conveyance.
14. It shall be lawful for the Official Administrator, Power to whenever he thinks it expedient to do so and upon such Official Admi- evidence of death as be deems sufficient, to receive or take nistrator to take posses possession of the private papers, moueys, goods, chattels, and
sion of proper other moveable property whatsoever of any deceased person ty of deceased which may be found within the Colony, and to provide for person until the safe custody thereof, until probate of the will of such grant of
probate or ad- decensed person or administration of his estate has been ministration. granted by the Court; Provided always that the Official Administrator may, in lieu thereof, if he thinks fit, issue forthwith a commission of appraisement of all or any of such property.
15. Every person who, without lawful authority or ex- Punishment cuse in that behalf, (the proof whereof shall lie on him),-
of person unlawfully
(1.) Removes or attempts to remove out of the Colony removing out
any such property as is mentioned in the last preced- of the Colony ing section; or
property of deceased person.
(2.) Destroys, conceals, or refuses to yield up any snch
property on demand to the Official Administrator, shall, on summary conviction thereof, be liable to a fine not execeding five hundred dollars, or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine aud imprisonment.
16. The Official Administrator shall have a lien upon all Lien ou property mentioned in section 14 for the reasonable expenses property of
deceased incurred by him in respect thereof in carrying out the person for provisions of the said section, and such expenses shall also expenses constitute a primary charge on the estate of the deceased incurred
person.
under s. 14.
17.-(1.) When any person dies leaving a will within Obligation on the Colony, the person in whose keeping such will has been person having deposited or who finds such will after the testator's death, or finding will to produce it. shall produce, and, if required, shall deliver, the same to the Official Administrator within fourteen days after the death of the testator or from the time when he has had notice thereof, or from the time of the finding of the will, as the case may be.
(2.) Every person who refuses or neglects to comply with the requirements of this section shall, ou summary conviction thereof, be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars.
18. From and after the decease of any person dying Vesting of intestate and until administration is granted in respect estate of
deceased per- of his estate, the estate of such deceased person shall be
son in Official vested in the Official Administrator.
Administra- tor.
19. When the whole estate of any person dying inte- Official Admi- state in the Colony does not, in the opinion of the Official nistrator may Administrator, exceed in value the sum of fifty dollars, administer
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