Registrar-Generals-Department-Annual-report-1964-1965 — Page 34

a body corporate with perpetual succession. 'Body of persons' is defined as meaning

(a) any community of persons bound together by custom, religion,

kinship, nationality or regional or local interests; or

(b) any body or association of persons established for any charitable purpose within the meaning of Section 2 of the Charities (Land Acquisition) Ordinance 1958,

the objects of which in either case do not involve the acquisition of gain by such community of persons or body or association of persons or its individual members, as the case may be.'

During the year two certificates of incorporation were granted, making a total of eighteen certificates so far granted under the Ordinance.

Authorized Auditors Board

90. The Authorized Auditors Board constituted under Section 131A of the Companies Ordinance is composed of ten members, namely, the Registrar of Companies (Chairman), the Accountant General and the Commissioner of Inland Revenue as ex officio members, a Legal Adviser, and six other members appointed by the Governor, of whom five are practising accountants.

91. The Board inquires into the professional qualifications, experience, competency and character of all applicants for admission to the Authorized List of Auditors kept by the Registrar of Companies under Section 131(3)(a). This List is in two parts, Part I containing the names of persons authorized to audit accounts kept in English, Part II the names of those authorized to audit accounts kept in Chinese. The Board may also sit as a disciplinary tribunal, having power to issue a reprimand or order the removal of the name of an auditor from the List.

92. During the year the Board inquired into and approved the applica- tions of twenty auditors and nine auditing firms for admission to Part I, and of fourteen auditors and nine auditing firms for admission to Part II, of the Authorized List. At the end of the year there were 143 individuals and 48 firms on Part I of the List and 124 individuals and 41 firms on Part II. Of these, 90 individuals and 37 firms were on both Parts. Out of the 143 accountants on Part I of the List 95 were Chinese.

Fees

93. The total of all fees collected by the Companies Registry under all Ordinances increased by nearly $2,000,000 over the previous year's

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