D.—No. G.

No. 18. Copy of a Letter from Mr. W. E. E. Browne to Mr. C. T. Batkin. Office of Inspector in Bankruptcy, Sic,— AVellington, 19th May, 1866. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular of number and date quoted in the margin, (680, 17th May, 1866) requesting me to pay into the Treasury on certain dates all fees received by me as Inspector in Bankruptcy. In reply I would remark that the Act referred to in no way makes the Inspector in Bankruptcy a responsible officer as far as to the actual receipts or disbursements of moneys by him. . The estates of insolvents are vested in trustees who are personally responsible to the Government for the payment of all fees. It is the duty of the Inspectors to make returns to the Government of all fees that may be due by such trustees, but it is very doubtful how far the Act empow-ers the Inspector to personally sue the trustees for the amounts so due, or to take any other steps for their recovery than by a report to the Government or an order of the Supreme Court. lam of opinion that the Inspector, having made his report to the Government, it then lies with the Government to enforce the payment of the fees due by the respective trustees or sequestrators who may be in arrears. I am endeavouring at present to obtain information from the various trustees of insolvent estates that will form the basis of the return of fees due, to be forwarded to the Government by me as Inspector. I have, &c, C. T. Batkin, Esq., AY. E. E. Brown, Colonial Treasury. Inspector in Bankruptcy. No. 19. Copy of a Letter from Mr. E. G. Fountain to the Inspector in Bankeuptcy, AVellington. (No. 239 Gr.') Colonial Secretary's Office, (Judicial Branch,) Sic,— AVellington, 11th June, 1866. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, of the date quoted in the margin, (19th May 1866) addressed.to Mr. Batkin, and am directed by Mr. Stafford to state that you should report as provided by sections 15 and 18 of " The Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Act, 1865," to the Supreme Court, in case sequestrators or trustees fail to account, and send a copy of such report to the Colonial Secretary. I have, &c., The Inspector in Bankruptcy, E. Gr. Fountain, AVellington. (for the Assistant Law Officer.) No. 20. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. E. Geaiiam to the Hon. E. AY. Stafford. Office of Inspector in Bankruptcy, Sic,— Christchurch, 26th May, 1866. Having entered into the duties of my office, I respectfully beg to be informed on the following points:— 1. Office. —AVill the Government provide Inspectors in Bankruptcy with a suitable office wherein to carry on their duties, it being necessary, as by the late regulations just issued, that the Inspector's books should be open to creditors during certain hours. At present I am using an upstairs room adjoining the Chamber of Commerce; but it is desirable that I should have an office on the ground floor, in a central situation, which I could obtain for about £50 a year. 2. Office furniture.—l require some little under this head, such as a desk for books, table, two chairs, and a small safe for the custody of books and vouchers —£25 to cover this expense in the first instance. 3. Stationery. —A list of requirements under this head, not including any forms or articles to be printed, I have handed the Sub-Treasurer, Mr. McKellar. 4. Books and printing. —Are the Inspectors permitted to choose the books required by the Act, or will they be .printed, as also forms of notice, at Wellington? 5. Government Gazette. —May I be permitted to have a copy of the General Government Gazette, commencing at No. 29 of 1866 ? 6. Salary and expenses. —I have not as yet received any official intimation as to amount of my salary, or how the same is to be paid, nor do the regulations just issued point out what allowances are made for clerical assistance, or necessary and incidental expenses. As I have heavy arrears of work to do for this Province, I shall esteem it a great favour if you will urge as soon as practicable my being put in possession of all the appliances required in my office, such as books, forms, and stationery. I have, &c, Jas. E. Graham, The Hon. E. AY. Stafford, Colonial Secretary. Inspector for Canterbury. No. 21. Copy of a Letter from Mr. E. G. Fountain to the Inspector in Bankruptcy, Canterbury. (No. 234 G.) Colonial Secretary's Office, (Judicial Branch,) Sir,— AVellington, 9th June, 1866. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, of the date quoted in the margin,

9

OF THE DEBTORS AND CREDITORS ACTS.