from 1959-60 to 1968-69 together with the aggregate amounts of the estimated liabilities and assets. This shows that 1968-69 had the third highest number of cases and the third highest total liabilities in the decade, both being exceeded only by 1965-66 and 1967-68. The Table also shows a marked rise in the last three years in the number of compulsory liquidations. This, however, may be due in part to the fact that the number of companies on the Register has almost quad- rupled from 3,536 to 13,372 in the decade.
Pre-war Bankruptcy Cases
116. There were eight pre-war cases on hand, two of which were concluded during the year. In five out of the remaining six cases a final dividend had already been paid and only formal closure proceed- ings were required.
Dividends paid
117. Payments to preferential creditors and dividends to unsecured creditors were paid in nine bankruptcies and eight windings-up.
Public Examinations and Court Work
118. Nine Public Examinations and five Private Examinations were held. Altogether, Legal Officers of the Department appeared in Court and in Chambers on 133 occasions in connection with bankruptcies and liquidations.
Cases Concluded
119. Eighteen cases were concluded, fourteen bankruptcies and four compulsory liquidations, and the Official Receiver was duly released from trusteeship and from the office of liquidator.
Previous cases still outstanding
120. One hundred and seven bankruptcies and ninety-two com- pulsory liquidations, including the cases mentioned in the preceding paragraph, were carried over from previous years, but in fifty-one bank- ruptcies and forty-one compulsory liquidations either a final dividend had already been paid or there were no assets available for distribution and only formal closure proceedings were required. Two bankrupts were discharged during the year.
The Canton Trust and Commercial Bank, Limited
121. During the year the officers engaged in this liquidation were formed into a special unit in an attempt to concentrate efforts. Although
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