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188,5. NEW ZEALAND.

TRUSTEES AND EXECUTORS COMPANIES IN THE CAPE COLONY. (PAPERS RESPECTING THEIR POWERS, OPERATIONS, ETC.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Peemiee, New Zealand, to the Peemiee, Cape Colony. Sie, — Government Offices, Wellington, Ist December, 1884. The Government of New Zealand have been informed that several trustees and executors companies exist in your colony for the management of the estates of deceased persons. Three such companies have recently been formed here; and, for our guidance in framing proper regulations for them, we shall be very much obliged for any information you can cause to be supplied to us as to the working of the companies with you, and especially as to the limitations under which your Legislature allowed them to be formed. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Cape Colony. Bobeet Stout.

No. 2. The Peemiee, Cape Colony, to the Pbemiee, New Zealand. Sie,-— Office of the Premier of the Colony, Cape Town, 12th February, 1885. I beg to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the Ist December last, in which you ask for information as to the working of the trustees and executors companies in this colony with a view to framing proper regulations for similar associations recently formed in New Zealand. In reply, I have the honour to state that no general Act of Parliament has been passed by the Legislature of this colony which provides for the working of these companies. Certain of them have been incorporated by special Acts, and I enclose for your information the Acts and by-laws of the following three companies: (1.) South African Association for the Administration and Settlement of Estates. (2.) Board of Executors. (3.) General Estate and Orphan Chamber. In addition to these there are others of a purely voluntary nature, their business being conducted on certain principles laid down in the deed of settlement; as an example I forward the "Deed of Settlement of the Colonial Orphan Chamber and Trust Company." There is a third association, the Western Province Administration and Trust Company (Limited), which, although formed on the same basis as the last-mentioned company, is registered as a limited-liability company under the provisions of the Joint-Stock Companies Limited Liability Act of 1861. These companies have proved successful financially, and are extensively used by the public, and it would therefore seem that the principles upon which they are conducted are sound. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand. Thomas Upington.

Enclosure 1. An Act to continue Act No. 9, 1855, intituled "An Act for Incorporating the South African Association." —[Assented to 30th June, 1875.] Wheeeas by the fifty-first section of the Act No. 9, 1855, intituled " An Act for Incorporating the South African Association," it is enacted that the said Act shall continue in force for the term or period of twenty-one years from and after the promulgation thereof, which term or period will expire on the twelfth June, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six ; and whereas it is expedient to continue the provisions of the said Act, with such alterations and amendments as have by rexperience been found to be desirable : And whereas for [this purpose it is expedient to repeal the

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