Sessional_Paper_1906 — Page 151

HONGKONG.

No.

REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT FOR THE YEAR 1905.

year

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

1. ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.

8 1906

The number of Actions instituted in this division of the Court during the Table I. 1905 was 427, and there were 257 pending at the commencement of that year. Of these, 272 were disposed of during the year, 64 being settled or withdrawn before tria', and 257 being struck out of the Cause-Book as having been standing over generally for more than a year, leaving a balance of 154 undisposed of.

The total amount involved was $7,845,780.34.

The debts and damages recovered amounted to $2,651,983.63.

There were 3 Injunctions and Interim Injunction granted.

The total fees collected and paid into the Treasury amounted to $23,519.25.

2.—SUMMARY JURISDICTION.

The number of Actions instituted was 1,889 during the year 1905, and 394 Table I. were brought forward from 1904. Of these, 1,663 were disposed of, 752 being settled or withdrawn before trial, and 394 being struck out of the Cause-Book as having been standing over generally for more than a year, leaving a balance of 226.

The total amount involved was $749,169.34; and the total fees collected and paid into the Treasury amounted to $8 643.25.

The number of Distress Warrants for Rent issued was 435, representing Table II. aggregate unpaid Rents amounting to $46,259.92, of which the aggregate sum of $20,092 47 was recovered, 179 Warrants having been withdrawn on settlement ⚫between the parties.

The fees collected for issuing Distress Warrants and paid into the Treasury amounted to $2,800.

3. CRIMINAL JURISDICTION.

There were 41 cases and 76 persons committed for trial at the Criminal Table III. Sessions.

The number of persons actually indicted was 71, of whom 54 were convicted and 17 were acquitted Against 5 persons no Indictments were filed, and they were discharged pursuant to the provisions of "The Criminal Procedure Amend- ment Ordinance, 1904."

4.- APPELLATE JURISDICTION.

There were 5 Appeals instituted during the year, being:

From the decision of the Chief Justice,

of the Puisne Judge,

1

Table IV.

11

**

Magistrates,

Of which 4 were disposed of, being

From the Chief Justice,

leaving 1 pending.

12

,, Magistrates,

10

ة

22