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THE UNUDUNU UUTIZANAN RULESAN A. UNIZED I
ZUITI
75, 1000,
This memorandum is intended to give you a general knowledge of what will be expected of you in the capacity of Registrar: it does not, however, purport to be complete, as it is known that there are certain functions connected with Bills of Sale and with the Jury Lists which you will be called upon to discharge, and there may be other similar duties of which the Secretary of State has no information I am to request you to state at your early convenience at what date you will be prepared to leave for the Colony, and what form of security you are prepared to offer.
H. F. GIBBONS, Esq.
I am, &c.,
(Signed)
J. BRAMSTON
(Copy.)
MEMO. A SHORT SUMMARY, WITHOUT DETAILS, OF THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE.
A Registrar is wanted for the Supreme Court of Hongkong, which possesses two judges, and exercises (practically) all the jurisdictions which in England are discharged by the several divisions of the Supreme Court of Judicature, except the Admiralty Division.
Admiralty matters are dealt with by the Judges of the Supreme Court in the Vice-Admiralty Court, which is an Imperial not Colonial Tribunal, regulated by Imperial Statutes.
The Registrar, with his subordinates, discharges similar duties to those of the Registrars, Masters, including the Master of the Crown Office (Ordinance 2 of 1869), and chief clerks and other officials who form the staff of the English Courts, under the provisions of local Ordinances, of which the principal is a Code of Civil Procedure. He is also Registrar of Companies under the Joint Stock Companies Acts, which have been adopted in the Colony, but the labour is small. The Registrar is also Official Assignee in Bankruptcy, under an Ordinance (No. 5 of 1864) adopting the principle of the English Act of 1861 (but without having a Registrar in Bankruptcy as under that Act): part of his duty is to conduct the examinations in Bankruptcy.
The Registrar is also Official Administrator of Intestate Estates (by Ordinance 9 of 1870), collecting and distributing the property in cases where administration is not taken out by any relative or creditor (Ordinance 8 of 1860).
Criminal cases (Ordinance 3 of 1865) are tried upon informations found by the Attorney General and filed in the Office of the Registrar, who issues copies for service on the criminals with notice of trial, and who, by himself or his deputy, attends the monthly sittings, swearing the Juries and witnesses and recording the judgments.
The duties are multifarious, but the number of cases in each branch are limited; it will be seen. however, that the Registrar requires to possess a general knowledge of the practice of Courts, and of mercantile and commercial business, with a sufficient acquaintance with accounts and book-keeping. as he has to control and supervise the subordinates, as well as taking a share of every kind of work that comes into the Court. He is primarily the officer to attend all the sittings of the Court and record the proceedings, but his place, when necessary, is taken by the Deputy Registrar.
The salary is Dollars 4,800, all fees going to the Colonial Treasury; he is required to give security to a substantial amount.
Besides the foregoing, the Registrar is usually Registrar in Vice Admiralty-paid by the fees authorised by Order of Her Majesty in Council--and Official Trustee, an office of responsibility but small labour, also paid by fees. These two posts are, however, at present held by another officer and are not open for the new Registrar.
(Copy.)
MR. GIBBONS TO THE COlonial Office.
3. PUMP COURT, TEMPLE, February 12th, 1880.
SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated February 7th 1880, intimating that the sureties specified in my letter of the 25th ultimo will be accepted and that upon my stating the date at which I shall be prepared to sail the Crown Agents will receive the necessary instructions as to providing my passage.
In reply, I beg to say that as soon as I receive the form and have information of the date on which the bond will be engrossed, I shall be ready to execute with my sureties, and that as at present advised, I shall be prepared to sail at the end of the present month. Awaiting further instructions.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) H. F. GIBBONS.