CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4506, 30 August 1875, Page 7

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Ameetingof the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was held on the 21th at tho offices of Messrs. Bethune and Hunter. . W. H. Levin, Esq., occupied the chair. The minutes of tho previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, stating that it was proposed to amalgamate the two branches of the legal profession in "Victoria, and requesting the opinion of the Chamber as a mercantile association as to the results of such amalgamation in New Zealand. Ihe subject was deferred for the consideration of the next meeting. The committee had communicated with the authorities of all the New Zealand ports and Australia, as to the rates charged for light dues and pilotage. .Replies to' these had been received, and the committee will take an early opportunity for examining them, and will draw up a report of the result. A ballot was taken for Mr. Buchanan manager of tho National Bank, when that gentleman was declared to be * a duly elected member. The committee had conferred with his Honor the Superintendent with reference to the Philadelphia Exhibition, 1876 ;. and a board consisting of ten gentlemen had been appointed, who are now actively employed collecting exhibits, and will continue to.be so employed until the end of this year. The committee brought up the following reports, which the Chamber unanimously adopted : Debtors and Civeditoks Act, 1875, • The committee is of opinion that the principle of the proposed Debtors and Creditors Act, 1875,.is extremely gootl, and that tho Act would if passed be conducivo to the protection of commerce. The committee would however recommend that tho following alterations and additions be suggested to the GovernClause 10.—Sub-section 3: That tho words "or is about to depart" be added between tho word "departed" antl tho word " out" in the second lino. Sub-section 4 : That the following be substituted for tho clause as it now stands: "That a judgment has been obtained by or on behalf of a creditor or creditors which would entitle the creditor or creditors to summon a first mooting, of creditors under this Act, and that tho debtor has for a space of two days aftor date of such judgment failed or neglected to satisfy the same." Clause 23.—Sub-section 0: Tho words to bo added, "Proxies may bo held by creditors or others, and shall be in the form given in Schedule B." Schedule B. —I hereby authorise and appoint to act and vote for mo at any meeting o£ creditors in the estate of day of 18 . Clause 20.—Second sub-section 1: That the words after tho word "resolution" in the third lino be omitted. Clause 50.—-This clause speaks of a declaration made as required 'by tho Act." Tho committee fails to find any clause tjiat proscribes any form of declaraCl'ause 00.—The committee is doubtful of tho effect i of this clauso, and thinks it would be better to omit all aftor tho word "resolution" in socond lino. CJauso 67.—That tho words "real or" bo added bet .teen the word "any" and tho word " personal," both in tho first and second lines. Clause 70.—That tho words "in cases when .the trustee has by resolution of tho creditors mortgaged any of tho property of tho debtor " bo added, between tho word "mortgago" and tho word "of" in tho third line. , ■ . . Clauso 83.—That the words provided always that any creditor whoso claim has been disallowed by tho trustee may appeal to the court against such decision' be added*aftor tho word " samo," in tho sixth lino. Clauso 00 in the twelfth lino contains an allusion to a sulllcient number of creditors. Tho committee is not awaro of any provision In tho Act showing what is a sufficient number of creditors. Clauso 04.-That the following be substituted for tho clauso as it now stands:—"lf tho creditors shall refuse such order of dischargo or shall not hold a meeting for the purpose of considering it or having met shall not como to any resolution the debtor may not less than days aftor tho dato of his application to tho creditors for an ordor of discharge appeal to tho Court and tho Court shall be at liberty either to confirm tho special resolution of tho creditors so as to reverse the same and decide that the ordor of discharge bo granted or in tho absence of any resolution to grant an ordor of dischargo which order shall bo as valid and effectual as if it had boon granted by tho creditors." Clauso 90.—That tho words " upon tho representation of a. creditor or creditors" bo added after tho word Court in tho second lino. Bills or Sale Act, 187 G. With respect to' the Bills of Sale Act Amendment Act, the sub-committee recommends that it bo suggested to tho Government, that tho charge for a search bo reduced from 2s. to Is. Stamp Act, 1875. Tho committoe rocommends that with rospect to the Stamp Act the following suggestions bo submitted to I the Government;—

Clause 08.—That the words "and is not to be stamped after the execution thereof be omitted. That the use of adhesive stamps, either in whole or in part, be permitted on all bills of exchange or promissory notes. „ , . Clause 90.—That the word "excepting be substituted for the word "including" in the first line. First Schedule,—That trustees appointed under the Debtors and Creditors Act be excepted from the stamp chargeable on appointment of new trustees. Bills of Exchange.—That the stamp on bills of exchange under £25 be the same as that chargeable on a promissory note of similar value, viz., Od. That cheques, drafts, or orders for payment of money be specifically included in the schedule and omitted from interpretation clause 57. That mortgages of all sorts be as heretofore exempt from stamp. , , Copies of the reports were ordered to be sent to the Government, the Hon. Mr. Hart, and the Hon. Mr. Johnstou,aml the members for the city. It was moved by Mr. Woodward, and seconded bv Mr. Mills, that the meeting of the Chamber do stand adjourned until the regular quarterly meeting in December next. The meeting accordingly adjourned to that date.