36
199 actions were instituted in the original jurisdiction;
1,420 actions were instituted in the summary jurisdiction;
157 probates and 227 letters of administration were granted in the probate jurisdiction;
477 persons were indicted at criminal sessions of whom 381 were convicted;
8 appeals were heard against conviction or sentence at criminal sessions;
16 appeals were heard against magisterial decisions;
8 appeals in respect of civil actions were heard.
The number of Trust Estates in the hands of the Official Trustee at the end of the year was nineteen :
During the year, thirty deceased's estates were taken into the custody of the Official Administrator and the administration of twenty estates were completed.
During the year 76 Hong Kong Companies were registered, 8 Hong Kong China Companies were registered and 25 Foreign Corporations were registered.
The total number of Hong Kong Companies now on the register is 703.
The total number of Hong Kong China Companies now on the register is 130.
The total number of Foreign Corporations now on the register is 301.
17 companies are in process of liquidation.
THE LOWER COURTS.
[Please see also Chapter XIII. of the 1938 Report.]
The following figures show the amount of work done by the lower courts in 1939:-
Civil:
District Officer, North, Land Court
144 cases.
Small Debts Court
72
District Officer, South, Land Court
67
Small Debts Court
19
22