10030.
SIB,
No. 217.
(ANTIGUA.)
TREASURY SOLICITOR to TREASURY.
CATHERINE REESE, deceased, ESCHEAT in Antigua,
Treasury, October 12, 1863. My Lords have been pleased to refer to me the enclosed papers from the Colonia. Office touching an escheat of a certain house and land in Antigua, the property of the above deceased,
It is assumed that the Crown is entitled to the property in question, but it does not appear that any inquisition has been held to find the title of Her Majesty thereto, with- out which, according to established practice, no grant can be properly made of the subject matter of the eschest.
On the assumption that the property has escheated, the head of the Moravian mission has petitioned that the balance of the proceeds of the sale of the property in the hands of the Provost Marshal of the Island may be paid to the poor of the city of St. John's, to whom it is alleged that it was bequeathed by the will of the deceased.
But the will is not forthcoming; it is stated to have been mislaid; no sufficient proof is given of its contents; the deceased may have left creditors or illegitimate relations, whose claims to the balance may appear to be equal or superior to that of the parties in whose favour the head of the Moravian mission has petitioned,
Under these circumstances I would submit that the Colonial Secretary may be requested to instruct the Governor-in-Chief of the Leeward Islands to direct the Escheator General to take the proper steps for finding the title of the Crown to the property in question by inquisition of escheat, and in the event of Her Majesty being found entitled to the balance in question, to report, for the consideration of my Lords, upon the claim of the Moravian mission, and on any other that may be preferred on behalf of creditors or illegitimate relations of the deceased intestate.
I am, &c. The Secretary, Treasury,
(Signed) H. R. REYNOLDS.
16278.-201.
35.-9/06.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
יייייי
Reference :-
C.O. 885
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
:.