Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 492

Return No. 5.

Return No.6.

Return No. 7.

384

5.-ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION.

There were 10 Actions instituted, with 2 in dependency, all of which were disposed of, 5 having been settled or withdrawn before trial.

The number of vessels arrested was 6.

The total fees received and paid into the Treasury amounted to $507.80.

6.—BankrufTCY JURISDICTION,

There were 35 Petitions filed, being Creditors' Petitions 15, and 20 Petitions by the Debtors themselves.

The number of Receiving Orders made was 20, being 9 on Creditors' Petitions, and 11 on Debtors' Petitions.

The number of Public Examination held was 9.

There were 11 Adjudications; and 1 Composition for $12.875.21 approved by the Court.

There were no Discharges.

It is a noticeable fact, especially with Chinese bankrupts, that being once ad- judicated they are rarely seen any more, many of them leaving the Colony.

The aggregate amount of declared Assets was $314,010.18, and declared Liabilities $671,636.65. Of the declared Assets only $28,069.41 were recovered.

With but few exceptions, the amounts realized have barely covered the costs of the Bankruptcy; hence the Court has of late more strictly enforced the law requiring substantial assets before making a Receiving Order.

The fees paid into the Treasury amounted to $758.05 including the Official Receiver's commission as Trustee where no Trustee has been appointed by the Creditors.

In previous years no Bankruptcy Returns were published: but as the Court exercises jurisdiction in Bankruptcy matters, it is but right that the working of this division of the Court should be included in its Annual Returns. A tabulated state- ment of the work done is, therefore, attached to this Report.

7.--PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION.

There were 198 Grants made by the Court, being:--

Probates,

Letters of Administration,

81

117

198

Return No. 8 and 8 (a.)

The aggregate value of the Estates was $1,936,975.

Probate duties amounted to $50,071.92, Court fees to $5,174.70, and Official Administrator's Commission paid into the Treasury to $2,861.77.

There were 47 Estates vested in, or administered by, the Official Administrator during the year, representing an aggregate value of $19,371.06.

20 Estates were wound up during the year as against 17 in 1902 representing an aggregate value of $32,567.13.

8.-OFFICIAL TRUSTS.

The total number of Trust Estates in the hands of the Official Trustee at the end of 1903 was 21, and the aggregate amount of Trust funds $99,200.88, and certain house property, viz., No. 6, Rednaxela Terrace.

The total fees received during the year and paid into the Treasury amounted to $296.

9.-REGISTRATION OF COMPANIES.

With a view to falicitating the checking of compliance with the several re- quirements of "The Companies Ordinances, 1865-1890," a Roll of all Companies registered since the coming into operation of the "Companies Ordinance, 1865" has been prepared, in which a careful note has been made of defunct Companies and Companies that have been wound up.

The total number of Companies registered from the commencement of the Companies Ordinance, 1865" was 386 with an aggregate capital of $176,655,081, of which there were only 182 remaining at the end of 1903, whose aggregate