that this is not an exigency in any shape or form. Paragraph (4) 4(5). I leave the origin of this point as it follows. Somewhere about 1884 the then Registrar General sent several memoranda to various companies, complaining that dividends in their hands remained unclaimed, warrants having been returned in consequence of the absence or want of knowledge of the address.
The Registrar, thinking that the Colonial Treasury might also benefit from these unclaimed dividends, sent round a circular to the various companies. The latter, pointing out that by the Official Administrator's Ordinance, under such circumstances, with absolute proof of death, the Official Administrator was entitled to take possession of such sums, every company forwarded the warrant to the Official Administrator, who encashed them and credited the Treasury with the amount received, less commission.
I conceive that if letters of administration or probate had been subsequently granted, the commission would not have been charged again, but as a matter of fact, such was not the case. One instance, I remember at present, in which a Judge would grant letters of administration or probate without being satisfied of the death. This fact of commission being charged on estates being wound up within the legal term.
C. O. 689