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CHAPTER XII.

JUDICIAL RECORDS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

Judicial records of foreign States can be proved by examined copies sealed with the seal of the State if relating to State documents, or the seal of the Court if relating to judicial records.

Acknowledgments of deeds can be taken before a Notary Public, duly certified to be such by the British Consul, or before Commissioners appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor.

CHAPTER XIII.

LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS, ETC.

Joint-stock companies can limit the liability of their shareholders to the amount subscribed for by each, by registering under the statute.

The law of private partnerships now allows a person to invest money in a business concern and receive a share of the profits, without being liable as a partner.

Companies for all purposes can be formed and registered in a simple and inexpensive manner.

Foreign companies, i. e., companies incorporated in a foreign country, can register in this Province upon the assent of threefourths of the shareholders being obtained, and can carry on business the same as any local company, but their office must be in Victoria, and the liability of the shareholders is not limited to the amount of their shares.

CHAPTER XIV.

MARRIED WOMEN.

Can invest the money earned by any separate trade or occupation, and the same is free from the debts, control or en

gagements of the husband; and landed property, held before marriage or acquired subsequent thereto, can be dealt with by a married woman as if she were femme sole. She can trade and contract in her own right, and is personally liable on her own contracts.

CHAPTER XV.

MORTGAGES.

Chattel mortgages must be registered within twenty-one days after execution, and an affidavit filed of the day and date of execution, in order to protect the property from execution creditors of the grantor. A mortgage unregistered is good between the parties, and if the mortgagee take the property into his own custody an execution creditor cannot seize it. Furniture, goods, merchandise, etc., can be mortgaged. Farming stock and crops are not subject to the Act.

Mortgages of Land.

A mortgagee of land is a specialty creditor; he can sue his debtor for the amount due, sell the mortgage property, or foreclose the mortgage. A mortgage is good for twenty years, but it must be registered in order to give it priority over other charges, as priority of registration gives priority of charge.

CHAPTER XVI.

INTEREST AND USURY.

The legal rate of interest is six per cent. per annum. All judgments carry this rate; so do accounts, after notice that interest will be charged; but any higher rate of interest is perfectly legal, as there are no usury laws in force.

CHAPTER XVII.

LAND LAWS, ALSO LIENS.

Persons can acquire land (three hundred and twenty acres) by pre-emption, on making improvements to the value of $2.50 an acre, and residing on the land; and on a survey being made, a grant in fee simple is issued without charge, or can purchase in surveyed districts at $1 an acre.

Aliens.

Foreign citizens can be naturalized after three years' residence and taking the oath of allegiance.

Aliens have full power to take up land without the necessity of taking the oath of allegiance, but they must declare their intention of becoming a British subject. They have all the same privileges as natural-born persons except the right of voting for the Legislature, and holding municipal offices.

Any one can buy lands at $2.50 per acre.

In the case of timber lands, any one can acquire a timber license at the rate of $50 a year for 1000 acres, or can purchase timber lands at $2.50 per acre, paying 50c. per M for all timber cut.

Lien.

Every person furnishing materials or doing work for another is entitled to a lien on the building or erection, and on the land on which such building or work has been performed. Such lien has to be registered within thirty days, and no payment made to a contractor within thirty days of the completion of the work shall be valid against the lien holder. There are other provisions for the protection of the workman and supplier of materials which give an ample protection against dishonest contractors.

CHAPTER XVIII.

MUNICIPALITY LAWS.

Commercial travelers have to pay a license of $10 for every six months. All other businesses pay a license varying from $5 to $100 a year.

The municipalities have only a limited power of taxation; in other respects they have complete self government.

CHAPTER XIX.

SHIPS AND SHIPPING.

Foreign vessels sold to a British subject can be registered

in the Dominion, subject tɔ a tariff of ten per cent. The navigation laws are those of Great Britain.

CHAPTER XX.

INSOLVENCY.

At the present time there are no bankruptcy or insolvent laws in the Dominion of Canada, but the local Legislature have passed acts intended to assist creditors by rendering void all judgments by confession or assignments of chattels given by a debtor in insolvent circumstances.

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CHAPTER XXI.

MINES, ETC.

Free miners have to pay a license fee of $5 a year.

A free miner is entitled to 100 feet square of dry diggings or bench claims wherever found; 1500 feet by 600 feet for mineral claims. All claims have to be recorded.

Disputes are decided on the ground by the Gold Commissioners, with or without a jury of five.

Crown grants are issued for mineral claims upon fulfilling certain simple requisitions.

Coal Mines.

Coal land can be bought at the same price as ordinary Crown lands, and a royalty of five cents per ton on all coals

raised.

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