D.—No. 6.

No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. E. G. Fountain to the Inspector tn Bankruptcy, Auckland. (No. 120 G.) Colonial Secretary's Office, (Judicial Branch,) Sic, - AVellington, 3rd April, 1866. I have the honor, by direction of Mr. Stafford, to inform you that it has been determined to hold a Conference, on the 18th instant, at AVellington, of all the Inspectors in Bankruptcy within the Colony, for the purpose of framing a uniform set of rules for the working of the Debtors and Creditors Act of 1862, and its Amendment of 1865, and to request you therefore to be good enough to give your attendance at the above time and place. The Government will provide you with a passage to and from the place of meeting. 1 have, &c, The Inspector in Bankruptcy, Auckland. E. G. Fountain, (for the Assistant Law Officer.) No. 3. (No. 121 G.) Similar Letter. The Inspector in Bankruptcy, Otago. No. 4. (No. 122 G.) Similar Letter. The Inspector in Bankruptcy, Canterbury. No. 5. (No. 123 G.) Similar Letter. The Inspector in Bankruptcy, Southland. No. 6. (No. 126 G.) Similar Letter. The Inspector in Bankruptcy, Nelson. No. 7. (No. 127 G.) Similar Letter. The Inspector in Bankruptcy, Taranaki. No. 8. Copy of a Letter from Mr. G. Beodie to the Hon. E. W. Staffoed. Sic,— Wellington, 26th April, 1866. I have the honor to enclose herewith a draft copy of rules and regulations for the conduct of business under " The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1862," and " The Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Act, 1865," and to request that I may, at your convenience, be favored with au interview for the purpose of supplying such detailed information with regard to them as you may deem requisite. I have, <&c, Geo. Beodie, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Chairman. Enclosure in No. 8. The Inspectors in Bankruptcy, assembled in conference, have the honor to submit the following suggestions for the consideration and approval of the Government: — 1. That the General Government agent in London be requested to obtain copies of the rules and regulations under wdiich Accountants in Bankruptcy wind up insolvent estates in Scotland. 2. The Inspector of each district should be provided with an office, office furniture, and such clerical assistance as he may require. 3. The Inspectors should have the privilege of franking letters sent on the business of insolvent estates. 4. It would be advisable that, tor the better discharge of the duties of their office, the Inspectors in Bankruptcy should be made Justices of the Peace, in order that any false statement made before them, upon oath, should render the person making such false statement liable to the pains and penalties of perjury. At present some of the Judges are doubtful as to whether a false statement made on oath, under section 17 of the Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Act, would render the person making it liable to the penalty provided for perjury. 5. It is suggested that, inasmuch as the working of the Act has not yet been tried, it would be advisable that the Inspectors should be summoned to meet next year for the purpose of interchanging such experience as they may have acquired.

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CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE WORKING