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GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

AT the sitting on the 19th ult. Sir Joseph Ward moved: "That it s in the best interests of the Empire that there should be more uniformity throughout its centres and dependencies in the law of alien mmigration and exclusion; and that it is therefore desirable that it should be referred to the Royal Commission recommended by the Imperial Conference." The resolution was agreed to.

Sir Rufus Isaacs, K.C., said that the question of the enforcement throughout the Empire of commercial arbitration awards had been considered by a committee of the conference, and to carry out the conclusion arrived at he moved the following resolution: That the Imperial Government should consider in concert with the Dominion Governments whether and to what extent and under what conditions it is practicable and desirable to make mutual arrangements with a view to the enforcement in one part of the Empire of judgments and orders of the courts of justice in another part, including judgments or orders for the enforcement of commercial arbitration awards." The resolution was agreed to.

The final session of the conference was held on the 20th ult.

Mr. Asquith, in reply to a vote of thanks, said: Gentlemen, I thank you very heartily for the terms in which this resolution is couched, for the speeches with which it has been supported, and for the evidence which those speeches and your demeanour afford of the genuine sentiment which it conveye. So far as it refers to me personally, I can assure you that I esteem it as great a privilege as has fallen to my lot since I have had the honour of being in this country the First Minister of the Crown that I have been permitted to be the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who has occupied the post of president of an Imperial Conference. That will be a recollection which I shall always cherish with pride and satisfaction. I am confident that the example which it has been my honour to set will be followed by those who come after me, and that the presidency of these conferences will be regarded as one of the obvious and natural as also one of the most important duties of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. (After referring to other matters, Mr. Asquith continued :) Then when you come to the internal relations of the Empire itself, without Attempting to give an exact order of precedence to particular resolutions as compared one with another, I confess that, speaking for myself, I attach as much importance to that which was said and which is now agreed to with regard to the Court of Appeal as perhaps to any other. I think in regard to the constitution and practice of our Imperial Court of Appeal the Dominions had well-founded criticisms to make, which were put forward here with moderation but with great point and force, and I believe that the suggestions which His Majesty's Government were able to indicate, and which have now received your approval, will, when they are carried into effect, displace 'those criticisms for the future and provide the Empire as a whole with a tribunal which, both by its composition, by the numbers in which it sits, and the procedure which it adopts, will secure unanimous confidence. Then again, still keeping within the sphere of Imperial law, I think your assent to the important propositions which were laid before you with regard to nationalisation is a very great step in advance. I will not speak of minor points, but there has been a general disposition, which I think is very characteristic of the whole epirit of the conference, that while we must each of us preserve absolutely unfettered and unimpaired our local autonomy, yet where uniformity is possible in regard particularly to matters where the action of one part of the Empire by itself may affect injuriously another, where uniformity, or if not uniformity at any rate similarity, of co-operation is possible with regard to legislation as well as with regard to administration, that should be the keynote of our policy.

RECLAIMED STOCK AND DIVIDENDS IN THE BANK OF ENGLAND.

[Transferred to the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, and which will be paid to the persons respectively whose names are prefixed to each in three months from the date given, unless other claimants sooner appear.]

WATKINS (Joseph), Hereford. £300 £2 10s. per Cent. Consolidated Stock, late £2 159. per Cent. Consolidated Stock, formerly New £3 108. per Cent. Annuities. Dividends (less £19 83. 8d.) will be paid to Charles William Lloyd Bulpett.

YARD (Frederick), 4, Kildare-ter, Bayswater, and YARD (Rev. Thomas), Ashwell Rectory, Oakham, Rutland. £700 £2 10s. per Cent. Consolidated Stock, formerly £2 15s. per Cent. Consolidated Stock. Claimant, Alfred John Blount, surviving executor of Frederick Yard, who was the surviving stockholder. June 16.

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HEIRS-AT-LAW AND NEXT OF KIN. REEVES (John Passmore) and REEVES (Peter Passmore), or their legal personal represertives, and all persons entitled to the funds in court to the credit of In the matter of the trusts of a sum of £1300 bequeathed by the will of Christopher Reeves, deceased, the shares appointed to Richard Randolph, Elizabeth Reeves Rawbone. John Passmore Reeves, and Peter Passmore Reeves by the will of Ruth Garrett," to come in, by Oct. 16, and enter their claims at chambers of Joyce and Eve, JJ., Room 693. Hearing Oct. 24, at 12, at said chambers, Room 692.

SIKES (Thomas Boyfield), Nottingham. Persons entitled to his estate to come in, by July 24, at chambers of Joyce and Eve, JJ., Room 697. Hearing Oct. 15, at 12, at said chambers.

APPOINTMENTS UNDER THE JOINT STOCK
WINDING-UP ACTS.

NOTICES OF APPEARANCE AT HEARING MUST REACH THE SOLICITORS BY 5 P.M. ON THE
DATE GIVEN, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

ALHAMBRA BRUSSELS LIMITED.-Creditors whose claims have not been
admitted to send forthwith, or by Aug. 1, to A. L. Taylor, 8,
Grainger-st West, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
CANTERBURY ROLLER SKATING RINK LIMITED.-Creditors to send in, by
Aug. 7, to G. Cooper, Bourne View, West Hill-rd, Bournemouth.
J. Lee Smith, 41, Finsbury-pave, E.C., sol. for liquidator.
COLNE STEAM SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED.-Creditors to send in, by
July 4, to H. Turton, 44, Leadenhall st, E.C.
H. A WELTNER AND CO. LIMITED.-Petition for winding-up to be heard
July 4, at Royal Courts of Justice. W. G. A. Edwards, 3, Coleman-
st, E.C., sol. for pet. Notices of appearance by July 3.

INNS OF COURT HOTEL LIMITED.-Petition for winding-up to be heard
July 4, at Royal Courts of Justice. C. A. Hopkinson, 38, Parliament-
st. Westminster, S. W., sol. for pets. Notices of appearance by
July 3.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES CORPORATION LIMITED.--Creditors to prove their
debts by Feb. 28, 1912, to W. B. Peat, 11, Ironmonger-la, E.C.

J R. WILLIAMS COMPANY, LIVERPOOL, LIMITED.-Creditors to send in, by July 1, to F. Holt, 8, Cook-st, Liverpool. Rutherfords, Liverpool, sols. for liquidator. LANGPORT AND MIDSOMERSET BENEFIT BUILDING SOCIETY.-Petition for continuing the winding-up under supervision of the court, to be heard July 4, at Royal Courts of Justice. Woodcock, Ryland, and Parker, 15. Bloomsbury-sq, W.C., agents for Louch, Son, and Goode, Langport, sols. to pet. Notices of appearance by July 3.

OXFORD AND ABINGDON PERMANENT BENEFIT BUILDING SOCIETY.-Petition for winding-up to be heard July 5, at Oxford County Court. Carr, Scott, and Smith, 325, High Holborn, W.C., sols. for pet. Notices of appearance by July 4.

PHENIX CARRIAGE COMPANY LIMITED.-Creditors to send in, by Aug. 3, to C. Keys, 71, Temple-row, Birmingham.

RUBBER ESTATES LIMITED.-Petition for winding-up to be heard July 4, at
Bankruptcy-bldgs, Carey-st, W.C. H. P. Becher, 26, Bedford-row,
W.C., sol. for pet. Notices of appearance by July 3, to the pet..
H. R. Wilkinson, 21, Hotham-rd, Putney, his sol., or agent in
London.

R.M. PROPRIETARY LIMITED.-Creditors to send in, by July 31, to F. T.
Knight, 1 and 2, Broad-st-av, E.C.
ROSSENDALE STANDARD LIMITED.-Creditors to send in, by July 31, to
J. S. Williams, 14, Dale-st, Liverpool.

SIERRA PARA RUBBER SYNDICATE LIMITED.--Petition for winding-up to be
heard July 4, at Royal Courts of Justice. Mayo, Elder, and Co.,
10. Drapers'-grdns, Throgmorton-av, E.C., sols. for pets. Notices of
appearance by July 3.
TOWNSEND AND CO. LIMITED.-Creditors to send in, by Aug. 1, to H. J.
Veitch, 10, Walbrook, E.C.
WIMBLEDON AMERICAN ROLLER SKATING RINK LIMITED.-Creditors to send
in, by July 31, to J. M. McIntosh, Cadogan-chmbrs, Cherry-st, Bir-
mingham. Maughan and Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne, sols. to
liquidator.

WELLINGTON MILLS SPINNING COMPANY (KEIGHLEY) LIMITED.--Creditors to send in, by July 17, to J. Butterfield, 2, Darley-st, Bradford. F. W. Butterfield, Keighley, sol. to liquidator.

CREDITORS UNDER ESTATES IN CHANCERY.
LAST DAY OF PROOFS.

CAPON (Philip), Ealing and Westminster. July 14; S. J. R. Stammers,
of Wansey, Stammers, and Co., sols., 28, Moorgate-st, E.C. July 21;
Parker, J., at 12.
NORTH-WEST LONDON RAILWAY BILL 1899.-Landowners and others who
have suffered loss or have incurred expense connected with the con-
struction or abandonment of the railway, also creditors other than
the applicants entitled to the residue of the Consols in court to the
credit of the above undertaking, to come in, by July 20, and prove
their claims at chambers of Swinfen Eady and Neville, JJ., and
enter their names at Room 286, Royal Courts of Justice. Hearing
July 21, at 12, at said chambers.

SPENCER (John), Romford. July 25; C. C. Upton, of Lloyd and Upton, sols., Romford. Oct. 12: Eve, J, at 12.

YATES (Edward), Halifax. Sept. 1; R. Wilkinson, sol., Halifax. Oct. 12; Neville, J., at 11.30.

CREDITORS UNDER 22 & 23 VICT. c. 35. LAST DAY OF CLAIM AND TO WHOM PARTICULARS TO BE SENT. ASH (Charles Addison), Plardiwick, Gnosall. July 29; Morgan and Co., Stafford. ARMITAGE (Vernon Kirk), Birkdale. July 15; Slater, Heelis, Williamson, and Co., Manchester.

ACWORTH (Mary Clarke), Dulwich. July 31; Grundy, Izod, and Co., 84, Queen Victoria-st, E.C.

AILESBURY (Henry Augustus, Marquis of). Savernake Forest, Marlborough. Aug 8; A. R. and H. Steele, 21, College-hill, E.C. BLOMMART (Mary), Stogumber and Clifton. July 19; N. Pearse and Son, Wiveliscombe.

BENJAMIN (Henry David), Sutherland-av, Maida Vale. July 29; Emanuel and Simmonds, 19, Finsbury-cir, E.C.

BELSON (George de Veulle), Brentor. July 31; J. and S. P. Pope, Exeter.

BEYER (Ernst Fritz Bertram), Manchester and Ardwick Green. July 20; Foulds and Laycock, Manchester.

BARNACLE (Eliza Ann), Leicester. July 1; J. C. Bulman, Leicester. BARRINGTON (Charles George), Westminster. July 16; Rider, Heaton, and Wigram, 8, New-sq, Lincoln's-inn.

BLICK (John William Thomas), Northampton. July 20; Darnell and Price, Northampton

BURY (Frances Barton), Chelsea July 21; James and James, 23, Ely-pl, Holborn-circus, E.C.

BERGIS (Fanny Marguerite), Bournemouth. July 15; J. and W. H. Druitt, Bournemouth.

BOLTON (William), Heath Town. July 28; A. Browne and Co., Warring

ton.

BROMILOW (Jane), Southport. July 12: Lancashire, Humphreys, and Grundy, Manchester.

BUTLER (Elizabeth), Earl's Court. July 31: Young, Jones, and Co., 7, Laurence Pountney-hill, Cannon-st, E.C.

BARTLETT (Moses), Pitsea. July 7; H. J. Jefferies and Bygott, Southendon-Sea.

BROWN (John), Walsall. Aug. 5; E. Evans, Walsall.

BIBBY (Dr. John), Kensington. July 31; Batchelor and Cousins, 2, Pancras-la, E.C.

BODDY (John), Newport. July 20; Lyndon, Mcore, and Cooper, Newport, Mon.

COTTERELL (Morton Blencowe), Victoria Park, Manchester. July 24;
H. F. Simpson, Manchester.

CAPSTICK (Richard), Hincaster. Aug. 7; A. Milne, Kendal.
COOKE (Thomas), Chesterton. Aug. 11; A. J. Lyon, Cambridge.
DEXTER (Archibald), Gravelly Hill. July 31; Balden and Son, Birming-
ham.

DANIEL (Edward), Swansea. July 31; R. P. St. J. Charles, Neath.
DALE (George), Moordown. July 25: Tattersall and Son, Bournemouth.
DOUGLAS (Jane Sarah Stoddart), Tunbridge Wells. July 31; F. R.
Howlett, Maidstone.

DOWNING (Maria), Wellington. July 15; Dean and Espley, Wellington,
Salop.

DINN (Walter Edwin Philip), West Kirby. Aug. 1; Pennington and Higson, Liverpool.

DEAN (Elizabeth Annie Fletcher), Staines. July 15; M. F. Cholmeley,
Staines.

DALE (John), Hope Village. July 12; W. F. Dale, Britannia Inn,
Heneage-st, and R. G. Avery, 93, Heneage-st, both in Birmingham,
or their sols., W. A. and L. F. Williams, Birmingham.
DOMERGUE (Helen Bacon), Sussex-mans, Maiden-la, Strand, W.C.
July 17; C. Russell and Co., 37, Norfolk-st, Strand, W.C.
DREW (William), Hillstead, Kingskerswell. Aug. 14; Dunn and Baker,
Exeter.

DALE (Percy William). Abington Park-parade, Northampton. July 20;
Darnell and Price, Northampton.

DUNSDON (Mary Ann), Slough. July 26; Stone, Thomas, and King, Bath.

ELMITT (George), Bardney. July 14; Danby and Epton, Lincoln. FOURACRE (Mary Maria), St Thomas, Exeter. July 5; Hartley and Thomas, Exeter.

Fox (Charles James), Clapton E.C

FIELD (Mary Ann), Isleworth. Brentford.

July 8; Oliver and Nutt, 14, Coleman-st,

July 17; Ruston, Clark, and Ruston, FISHER (John), Sparkbrook. Sept. 30; J. A. Dale, Sarehole, Moseley, Birmingham, or his sols., Coley and Coley, Birmingham. FROST (Mary), Conisborough. Aug. 5; F. E. Machen, Sheffield.

FOGG (Mary Charlotte), West Norwood. July 31; Grundy, Izod, and Co., 84, Queen Victoria-st, E.C.

GREENWOOD (Sarah Ellen), Halifax. July 8; Moore and Shepherd, Halifax.

GETTING (Henry Frederick), Hollington Ross. Aug. 10; Stannard and Bosanquet, Eastcheap-bldgs, 19, Eastcheap, E.C.

GOWLAND (Martha Ann), Kirby Wiske. July 15; Newbald, Kay, and
Walker, Thirsk.

GRAHAM (Henry Arthur), King-st, Cheapside, and North Audley-st.
Aug. 1; Ford, Lloyd, Bartlett, and Michelmore, 38, Bloomsbury-sq,
W.C.
GRIMSHAW (John) and GRIMSHAW (Elizabeth), Shipley. July 24; S.
Wright, Morgan, and Co., Shipley.

GLEADOWE (Thomas Smith), Chester.

Chester.

Aug. 17; Boydell and Taylor,

GODFROY (Edmond), Old Southgate. July 20; Croft and Mortimer, 15, Coleman-st, E.C.

GARDNER (Brigade Surgeon-Lieut.-Col. Thomas Turville), East Grinstead. Aug. 5; Pearless, Sons, and De Rougemont, East Grinstead. GUNSTONE (George Edward). Sheffield. Sept. 30; Public Trustee, 3 and 4, Clement's-inn, Strand, W.C., or his sois., Broomhead, Wightman, and Moore, Sheffield.

GILLETT (George), Bishopsworth. July 29; Meade-King, Cooke, and Co., Bristol.

GILLAM (James), Luton. June 30; S Gillam, Bute-st, Luton.

HUBBALL (Edwin), Union-st and Nassau-st. July 20; P. Holt, Purley. HART (William Henry) and HART (John), Hatfield. Aug. 15; Sworder and Longmore, Hertford.

HAHN (Eliza), Paignton. July 29; J. Kenny, Paignton.

HARMER (Mary Anna Janet), Great Yarmouth. July 15; Harmer, Ruddock, and Son, Great Yarmouth.

IVATTS (Edmund Bachelor), West Looe, Cornwall. July 22; J. Shearman, 6, Bream's-bldgs, Chancery-la, E.C. JOHNSON (Edward), Bowsden Beal. July 27; the executor, at the offices

of Sanderson and J. K. Weatherhead, Berwick-upon-Tweed.
JENNER (Jasper), Heathfield. July 14; O. H. Swann, Heathfield.
JONES (David Watkin), Lampeter. Aug. 19; D. Lloyd and Son,
Lampeter.

KENDALL (John), Sale. July 31; Rylance and Sons, Manchester.
LAFONE (Alfred), Hanworth Park. July 20; Cox and Lafone, 17, Tower
Royal, Cannon-st, E.C.

LISSETT (Wright), Ilkeston. July 17; T. N. Lissett, Ilkeston.
LANGTON (Augusta Ann Helen), Bournemouth. July 27; Rooper and
Whately, 17, Lincoln's-inn-fids, W.C.

LEWIS (Louis Lucas), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. July 24; H. A.
Graham and Wigley, Guildhall Annexe, 23, King-st, Cheapside, E.C.
MARSHALL (Martha), Nottingham. July 21; Warren and Allen, Notting-
ham.

MILMAN (Jemima Anna Maria), 9, Berkeley-sq. July 15; Rider, Heaton, and Wigram, 8, New-sq, Lincoln's-inn.

MCELEAVEY (William), Newcastle-upon-Tyne. July 8; Patrick Bennett and Maddison, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

MITCHELL (John, jun.), Dowlais. July 16; D. W. Jones and Co., Merthyr Tydfil.

MCCLINTON (Nathaniel). Crumpsall. July 12; Lancashire, Humphreys, and Grundy, Manchester. MACGREGOR (Alexander), South Kensington. July 22; Lewin, Gregory, and Anderson, 6, The Sanctuary, Westminster, S.W. MONRO (Georgina Augusta), St. Leonards-on-Sea. July 22; Bucknil and Co., 2, Raymond-bldgs, Gray's-inn, W.C.

MARSHALL (Margaret), Newcastle-upon-Tyne. July 20; H. E. Richardson and Elder, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

MARSH (Andrew John), Wilton. July 31; Wrensted, Hind, and Roberts,
Ormond House, 63, Queen Victoria-st, E.C.

MARQUIS (Jane), Burnley. July 31; J. C. Waddington, Burnley
NUGENT (Richard Dunworth), Bayswater. July 13; Witham, Roskell,
Munster, and Weld, 1, Gray's-inn-sq, W.C.

NYREN (William). Brighton. July 20; Nye and Clewer, Brighton.
NEILD (Henry), Higher Whitley. July 31; H. Grecnall and Co., Warring-

ton.

ORME (Temple Augustus), Uxbridge-rd. Aug. 5; Lewis and Yglesias, 6, Old Jewry. E.C.

POINTING (Arthur Lewis), Peckham. July 29; E. T. Lea, 52, Queen Victoria-st, EC.

PEMBER (Edward Henry), Lymington. July 31; Druces and Attlee, 10,
Billiter-sq, E.C.

PECZENIK (Leon), 53, Portland-pl, and Paris. July 20; the executors, at
the offices of Savory, Pryor, and Blagden, Outer Temple, 222, Strand,
W.C.
PYM (Montagu Charles Lamb), Melbourne, Victoria. Aug. 8; St. Barbe
Sladen and Wing, 7, Queen Anne's-gate, Westminster.

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ROPES (Sarah Louisa), Paddington. July 14; A. R. Ropes, at the offices of Scott, Bell, and Co., 15, Queen-st, Cheapside, E.C.

REES (James Hywel), Aberystwyth. July 12; Smith, Davies, and Evans, Aberystwyth.

SLADE (George), Crewkerne. July 31: C. F. Saunders, Crewkerne. SHERET (David), Hebburn-on-Tyne. July 8; Patrick Bennett and Maddison, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

inn.

SMITH (Andrew), Chorlton-upon-Medlock. July 25; Trotter, Davies, and
Yearsley, 27, Brazennose-st, Manchester. Sols., T. H. Scholfield and
Co.
SHADWELL (Col. Josiah FitzThomas, Royal Welsh Fusiliers), Bushey.
Aug. 1; R. B. Wheatly, Son, and Daniel, 2, Stone-bldgs, Lincoln's-
SIMONAU (Alice Mary), Berkeley-st, Piccadilly. July 17; Dickson,
Archer, and Thorp, Alnwick.
SHARPE (Jane Elizabeth), Dunorlan, Harrogate. July 11; R. A. F. James,
9. Coleman-st, E.C.
STEELE (Barbara), Lavender Hill. July 24; W. E. Aldis, 15, King-st, E.C.
SMITH (George Henry), Teddington, and Covent Garden Market.
July 17; Hervey, Smith, and Co., 22, Henrietta-st, Covent Garden,
W.C.

SYKES (Arthur), Withington. July 24; W. T. Hill, Manchester.
SMITH (Helen), Winchelsea. July 22; Dawes, Son, and Prentice, Rye.
STANTON (Rev. Canon William Henry), Hasleton. Aug. 1; Morgan,
Francis, Stanton, and Parnall, Chepstow.
SUNDERLAND (Thomas), Holbeck and Leeds. July 21; Wade and Kitson,
Leeds.

SYRES (George), Slaithwaite. July 31; E. Freeman, Slaithwaite.
TUNLEY (Robert), Cottingham. July 28; B. Suddaby, Hull.
THREADGALE (Dr. Robert Easey), St. Leonards-on-Sea. July 31; Finch
and Turner, 84, Cannon-st, E.C.

THOMAS (Thomas), Pontyclun. June 30; T. Millward, Pentre.

TYRER (Thomas), Northenden. July 8; Pearson, Parker, and Co., Man

chester.

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WALKER (Charlotte Anne), Bayswater. July 17; Rackham and Sayer, Norwich.

WATSON (William), Balham. July 20; C. Rogers, 89, Chancery-la. WOMBWELL (Emily), South Eaton-pl. Aug. 1; Valpy, Peckham, and Chaplin, 19, Lincoln's-inn-fids.

WARK (Margaret Cuthbertson), Highgate. July 31; Edwards and Sons, 57, Moorgate-st, E.C.

WILLIAMS (Frederick), Small Heath, Birmingham. July 1; Glaisyer, Porter, and Tangye. Birmingham.

WHITEWOOD (Edward William), Middlesbrough. July 24; E. W. Dawes,

Middlesbrough.

WATSON (Elizabeth Ruth), Tunbridge Wells. Aug. 11; Stuckey, Son, and Pope. Brighton.

YOUNG (Thomas Pilkington), Whitefield and Manchester. Aug. 31; Marriott and Co., Manchester.

LAW SOCIETIES.

THE LAW SOCIETY.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL INTENDED TO BE PRESENTED TO THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS ON JULY 7, 1911.

COUNCIL VACANCIES.

THERE are eleven vacancies in the council, ten of which are caused by retirement in rotation. The remaining vacancy is caused by the regretted death of Mr. Richard Pennington. The members to retire in rotation are Mr. Botterell, Mr. Budd, Mr. Dowson, Mr. W. E. Foster, Mr. Margetts, Mr. Oldham, Mr. Paine, Mr. Rawle, Sir A. K. Rollit, and Mr. Stone.

Under the provisions of by-law 40, three of the members of the council retiring by rotation are ineligible for re-election for one year. It has been agreed that the members to be so ineligible shall be Mr. Paine and Mr. Rawle (London), and Mr. W. E. Foster (country).

Mr. Pennington died, after a few days' illness, on the 13th July 1910. He had been a member of the council since the year 1879, and served the office of president in the year 1892-93. For twenty years he was chairman of the finance and general purposes committee; he also served on the examination committee, the professional purposes committee, the discipline committee, and many others. He was also one of the society's representatives on the senate of the University of London.

Throughout his membership of the council Mr. Pennington identified himself in a remarkable degree with every branch of the society's work, and it is impossible in a few words to attempt any enumeration of the various services which he continuously rendered to the society or to refer in any adequate terms to the industry and ability which he brought to bear upon whatever he took in hand. The council desire, however, to make special reference to the fact that at the time of his death he was a member of the Land Transfer Commission, and that the commissioners in their report speak of him as a most able and zealous member of their body. It is a matter of deep regret that he was not spared to take part in the completion of the report

The consideration and courtesy which Mr. Pennington invariably displayed to those with whom he was brought into contact secured

for him their profound regard and affection, and he is greatly missed by a large circle of friends.

The council must also refer with much regret to the death of Mr. Henry Manisty, which occurred on the 13th April 1911, after some months of suffering. He retired from the council in July 1910, having been elected upon it in 1885, and having served as president in 1899-1900. Mr. Manisty's term of office was a specially arduous one, and upon his retirement his colleagues passed a resolution of thanks to him, which concluded with these words :"The council desire that this resolution shall not be deemed a merely formal and customary vote of thanks, but that it shall be considered, as it is intended to be, a marked acknowledgment of special and great services rendered and fully appreciated.'

During the many years that Mr. Manisty was a member of the council he took a very active part in its work, and rendered mostvaluable services to the society.

When he retired last year the council recognised the loss of a colleague with whose advice and assistance they could ill afford to dispense, and they much regret that the hope then entertained that his life might long be spared has not been realised. ›

MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES.

During the year ending the 31st May 1911 the council have held thirty-eight meetings, and the following committees have held the number of meetings specified, viz. Professional purposes, thirtyfive; examination, eighteen; scale, thirty-one; house, six; finance (including Gazette and library), sixteen; parliamentary, five; legal education, ten; legal procedure, eight; County Courts, five; various, twenty-seven.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE SOCIETY.

The society has now 9039 members, of whom 4131 practise in town and 4908 in the country. The number of members who joined the society during the past year is 543, as compared with 299 in the previous year. The membership shows an increase for the year of 245, and is the largest since the foundation of the society.

FINANCES OF THE SOCIETY.

The accounts of the society for the year 1910 are printed in the appendix. The sum expended for scholarship payments, class prizes, fees to tutors and assistant examiners, and grants to provincial law societies is less by £169 than the amount expended upon the same objects in the previous year. But owing to the falling off in the number of candidates for the society's examinations (which was foreshadowed in the last annual report) and the consequent decrease in the number of admissions to the roll, the articled clerks' fund shows a deficit of £543. This deficit has since been paid off out of accumulations in previous years.

As regards the general account, it will be noticed that the sum of £2000 was paid off the society's mortgage debt during the year 1910, thus reducing it to £12,000.

ANNUAL PROVINCIAL MEETING.

The thirty-fifth annual provincial meeting was held at Bristol on the 27th and 28th Sept. 1910, on the invitation of the Bristol Incorporated Law Society. The members assembled in Bristol on the evening of Monday, the 26th Sept., at a reception given by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bristol at the Bristol Art Gallery. On the following day the Lord Mayor of Bristol took the chair at the opening meeting at the University Hall, and welcomed the members to the city. The president then delivered his address, and various papers were read and discussed. The reading and discussion of papers was continued on the next day, and in the evening the members were entertained, on the invitation of the president, vice-president, and committee of the Bristol Incorporated Law Society, at a reception and madrigal concert at the Victoria Rooms. The members were received by the president (Mr. C. E. Barry) and Mrs. Barry, and by the vice-president (Mr. H. G. Vassall) and Mrs. Vassall.

On Thursday, the 29th Sept., excursions took place to Chepstow and Tintern, to Wells and Glastonbury, and to Gloucester.

The meeting was well attended, some 400 members being present, and the thanks of the society are due to the Bristol Incorporated Law Society and the other societies concerned for the excellent arrangements made and the great kindness shown.

An invitation has been accepted from the Nottingham Incorporated Law Society to hold this year's provincial meeting at Nottingham, and the meeting has been fixed to take place there on the 26th and 27th Sept. 1911. Additional interest is lent to the occasion by the circumstance that Sir Edward Fraser, D.C.L., who is president of the Nottingham Law Society and a member of the council of the Law Society, is this year also mayor of Nottingham. The council will be glad to receive for consideration the subjects of papers to be read, and venture to express the hope, especially in view of the circumstance referred to, that the attendance at the meeting will be fully maintained.

PUBLICATIONS ISSUED TO MEMBERS.

The monthly issue of the Gazette and Register has been continued. In addition to notes of decisions affecting solicitors, opinions of the council upon certain points of law and practice, and other matters of interest to members, the Gazette has contained prints of the following rules and orders :

:

Bankruptcy Rules 1910, Colonial Stock Act 1900, County Court Rules 1910, District Registries (Stockport) Order in Council, Land

Values Duties Rules 1910, Supreme Court Rules (July 1910), Supreme Court (Finance Act) Rules 1911.

The Gazette also gives information as to the work of the council in the weeks preceding the issue of each number.

REGISTRY DEPARTMENT.

During the past year several letters have been received from members referring to the assistance afforded by this department. The attention of members is specially directed to the society's clerkship registers. About 2500 entries a year are made on the society's register F (clerkships wanted) by admitted or unadmitted clerks in want of situations, and for some years past a record has been kept of such clerks. No clerk is allowed to inspect the register of vacant situations or enter his name without having first produced a letter of recommendation from a member of the society, or, in cases where it is impossible to obtain this, from some responsible person, to the effect that the clerk is personally known to the writer and is of good character. By this means the council are able to ensure that, as far as possible, the register is kept free of undesirable applicants.

BEQUEST BY THE LATE MR. HENRY WILLIAM TRINDER.

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By his will the late Mr. Henry William Trinder, who died on the 21st Nov. 1910, and who was a member of the society, bequeathed to it two oil paintings, by Scott, of "The Thames, at Westminster," and Somerset House respectively. He also bequeathed to the society the sum of £2000, upon certain trusts referred to in the will. With regard to the latter bequest, it became necessary, in view of the alternative trusts of the will, that the method of its expenditure should be carefully considered. The subject was, therefore, referred to a special committee for consideration, and their recommendations (adopted by the council) are set out in the report which is included in the appendix.

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The twenty-sixth conference of the association was held in London in August last, and the council had the honour of receiving the delegates at dinner at the society's hall on the 2nd Aug. 1910. A large company assembled, and the occasion was marked by interesting speeches from the Lord Chief Justice and others bearing testimony to the great influence exercised by the association.

SOLICITORS' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

The council were glad to be able to grant the use of the society's hall for the annual anniversary festival of the Solicitors' Benevolent Association.

This took place on the 17th May 1911, and donations amounting to upwards of £1600 were received.

The president of the Law Society, who occupied the chair, urged that more members of the society should become annual subscribers to this very valuable association.

RECORD AND STATISTICAL DEPARTMENT.

During the year the work of collecting and filing information with regard to solicitors has been continued by the society's record and statistical department, which has now the complete history of a considerable number of firms, as well as that of some thousands of individual solicitors. Tables have also been compiled giving at a glance statistics with regard to past examinations, articles, admissions, membership of the society, and other useful information. The inquiries made in the department again show a large increase over those of the previous year, and, to judge from the letters of thanks received, the information supplied has been of great assistance to members in tracing documents previously in the possession of solicitors who are not now practising. As some difficulty is often experienced in obtaining desired information, the council invite communications with the secretary in the event of members succeeding to, or obtaining possession of the papers of, a deceased or retired solicitor, and also any other particulars of which it is desirable that a record should be kept. At the same time, they desire to thank those who have been good enough to send such particulars during the past year.

EXAMINATION COMMITTEE.

The vacancy on the committee occasioned by the death of Mr. C. M. Barker in Feb. 1910 was filled by the appointment of Mr. Dibdin.

The numbers of successful candidates in 1910-11, as compared with the numbers in 1909-10, are as follows: Preliminary, 242, as against 228; Intermediate (law), 419, as against 458; (accounts and book-keeping), 478, as against 471; Final, 530, as against 544; honours, ninety-eight, as against 106.

It may be of interest to note the difference in the number of candidates giving notice for examination in 1900 and 1910. For

the Preliminary Examination 1900 there were 532, as against 357 in 1910, a decrease of, 175.

Intermediate Examination 1900 there were 813, as against 607 in 1910, a decrease of 206..

Final Examination 1900 there were 882, as against 724 in 1310, a decrease of 158.

The above figures are accounted for if a comparison is made between the number of articles. of clerkship registered in 1900 and 1910. In the former year there were registered 753 articles of clerkship, of which 667 were original articles, while in 1910 only 568 articles were. registered, of which 507 were original articles. showing a falling off in the number of clerks entering into articles of clerkship of 160. The number of persons admitted as solicitors in 1900 was 593, in 1910 it was 501, a decrease of ninety-two.

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(1) That the names of those candidates who succeed in obtain ing a first class at the society's Intermediate Examination should be placed in order of merit.

"(2) That a prize, or one of the society's scholarships, should be awarded to the best Intermediate candidate of the year.

"(3) That three papers should be set at each Intermediate Examination upon Stephen's Commentaries, each containing fifteen questions, and that three hours should be allowed for each paper. (4) That a higher standard of attainment should be required from a candidate to qualify him for a pass certificate."

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This resolution was referred to the examination committee for consideration, and a copy of their report adopted by the council is included in the appendix. The committee did not approve the suggested amendment.

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ARTICLED CLERKS' TESTIMONIALS OF SERVICE.

Sect. 4 of the Solicitors Act 1843 provides that no solicitor shall have more than two articled clerks at the same time, or take, have, or retain, any articled clerk after such solicitor shall have discontinued practice, nor whilst such solicitor shall be employed as a clerk by any other solicitor.

Representations having been made to the council that solicitors are not sufficiently well aware of the provisions of this enactment, it was resolved to draw attention to it by a special note on the forms of prospectus and testimonials.

THE SOCIETY'S TEACHING SYSTEM.

The number of students attending the society's lectures and classes during the session has been 247, of whom 185 have been oral and sixty-two correspondence students. Altogether, since the establishment of the new system in 1903, 1138 students have taken advantage of it. The entry of entirely new students during the session has been 112; but many who had previously been Intermediate students have also joined this session with a view of preparing for the Final Examination.

At the four qualifying examinations which have been held since the last annual report was prepared, 215 of the society's students have been successful in passing-viz., 110 in the Final, fifty-nine in the Intermediate, and forty-six in accounts and book-keeping only. Twenty-three of the society's students have obtained honoursviz., one in the first class, eight in the second, and fourteen in the third. Whilst the society's system aims rather at qualifying a student for his professional duties than for passing his examinations, it is satisfactory to find that this aim is not found in practice to be incompatible with success in the examinations.

As evidence of the increased interest in the study of law may be quoted the growth of the classes concerned specially with preparation for London degrees. The attendance at the degree classes continues to increase, and the quality of the work maintains its high standard. At the degree examinations held in September last

one of the society's students obtained first class honours in Roman law and second class in English law; while four of the society's students obtained second class and three third class honours. Four students were successful in the University Final Pass Examination, and one in the Intermediate.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the society's educational system during the past year has been the organisation of the joint board of legal education for Wales. The council, recognising that local conditions are best known to the local authorities, have never undertaken direct teaching outside London, but have assisted and stimulated the work of the various law societies and other bodies which have provided facilities for articled clerks in their respective districts. In the case of Wales, however, it was felt that some further machinery was desirable, which should co-ordinate the claims of the various centres and present them to the council as a whole. A joint board for Wales and Monmouthshire has accordingly been formed, with a view of undertaking this task and of stimulating legal education generally in Wales and Monmouthshire. The precise constitution of the new body is set out at length in the January number of the society's Gazette (p. 35). Here it is sufficient to say that it comprises elected representatives of every law society and every university college in Wales, as well as of the council and the University of Wales. The inaugural meeting of the board was held at the society's hall on the 3rd Feb., when Mr. R. S. Cleaver, of Liverpool, a member of the council, was elected president for the ensuing year. The board is now actively engaged in carrying out its functions, which may be expected to result in a great increase of educational facilities in Wales.

Another feature of the year's educational work was the delivery, at the society's hall, in January last, of a short course of lectures on local government law, specially designed for the benefit of solicitors and others engaged in laying out of building estates. The lectures were delivered by Mr. E. J. Naldrett, of the Middle Temple, and were much appreciated by a series of attentive audiences. A member of council occupied the chair on each

occasion.

The award of studentships and of prizes of books for diligent attendance and work in connection with the society's teaching system has been continued during the past year on much the same lines as in recent years. The social side of student life has also not been neglected, a gathering of about 140 past and present students having taken place, with the permission of the council, in the society's library and common room on an evening in March

last.

ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE SOCIETY'S BUILDING. In recent years the necessity has been felt for increasing the accommodation at present available in the society's building. The classrooms have been found too small, and it has been necessary to use the west library for teaching purposes. The council have also considered it desirable to provide the society's students accommodation for social purposes. They have therefore decided to make arrangements by which the accommodation in the building both for members and students would be materially increased. The west library is to be divided by a floor to be built some 12ft. above the present floor, and the lower space is to be partitioned off so as to provide at the north end a luncheon or common room, and at the south end a library, with a reading and smoking room. The examinations will be held in a hall over the new rooms; and to meet any possible future requirements for lectures and classes two new rooms are to be built on the third floor at the south-west angle of the building.

It is hoped that the contemplated alterations and additions will be completed by the end of this year.

FINANCE (1909-10) ACT 1910.

REVENUE ACT 1911.

In September last the Chancellor of the Exchequer invited the president to attend a small conference on Form 4 with a few persons specially conversant with the practical difficulties which were presenting themselves to owners of land. The president, with the approval of the council, attended the conference. In the course of the discussion he pointed out that, although the form was neither unintelligible nor obscure to persons having expert knowledge, the answers, unless complete and accurate, would be of little value for the purpose for which they were required; and to ensure this expert assistance would be required in most cases, which landowners would apparently have to obtain at their own expense. Certain other points were mentioned by the president, and he obtained from the Chancellor of the Exchequer an assurance that landowners would not be prejudiced if in filling up Form 4 they should omit to make deductions from site values, and that opportunity would be given for subsequently making good any mistakes or omissions in filling up the form.

For some months after the Finance Act was passed the council received many requests from members for information, and for their opinion with regard to questions arising in practice under the new Act. These communications were answered individually, and as it was found that many questions were being repeated the council decided to issue a memorandum giving the effect of their answers to those most commonly arising. The memorandum was issued in November last, and a print of it (slightly revised to incorporate certain provisions of this year's Revenue Act) is included in the appendix to this report.

Subsequently the council were requested to express an opinion as to the duties of solicitors in advising trustee and other mortgagees as to their position with regard to valuations and other securities under the Finance Act. It was represented that solicitors were being consulted by mortgagee clients as to what action they should take, and that it would be of assistance if some general principle could be laid down by the council on the subject. The inquiries were referred by the council to the scale and costs committee, whose report (adopted by the council) is printed in the appendix.

ROYAL COMMISSIONS ON LAND TRANSFER,

Scottish Commission.

The Scottish Commission, appointed in May 1906 to consider the question of registration of title in Scotland, completed its report in July last. The report is not unanimous. Three commissioners (including the chairman, Lord Dunedin, and two Writers to the Signet) are of opinion that it would be inexpedient and impracticable to introduce a system of registration of title for the whole of Scotland instead of the existing system. Their view is that it would be expedient first to try to amend the present system of land transfer in Scotland, and that such amendments might facilitate the adoption of a true system of registration of title. They further recommend that registration of title should be introduced experimentally in a limited area. Two other commissioners favour the gradual introduction of registration of absolute le, provided that all the incidents of ownership of land, including power to settle, mortgage, and affect with restrictive covenants, are taken into account on the register. Two commissioners only (one of them being Sir Fortescue Brickdale) advocate the introduction into Scotland of a system of compulsory registration of title, without any unnecessary delay. But they explain that in view of the security of title already afforded by the register of sasines and the comparatively short time that the subject of registration of title has been under consideration, and the pendency of the English inquiry, it would not be opportune to introduce it compulsorily and immediately over the whole country. Owing to the material differences between the nature and incidents of English and Scotch tenures, and between the English and Scotch conveyancing systems, the report is inapplicable, at all events in any general sense, to the subject of compulsory registration of title in England; and the commissioners themselves advisedly abstained from any expression of opinion on that subject.

English Commission.

The Royal Commission appointed on the 30th July 1908 to consider and report upon the working of the Land Transfer Acts in England issued its report on the 19th Jan. 1911. The recommendations of the commission, as summarised in the report, are as follows:

1. Registration with absolute title to confer on the registered proprietor as well as on his transferees a title not defeasible in consequence of defects in the title prior to registration, but subject in the case of the proprietor and transferees from him otherwise than for value to all rights created by the proprietor himself.

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2. The length of title now required to be shown for registration with absolute title to be reduced from forty to twenty years. similar change to be made in the general law as between vendor and purchaser.

3. The registrar to be authorised to accept counsel's certificate of title, and, unless he sees good reason to the contrary, to grant an absolute title where an application is accompanied by counsel's and solicitor's certificates in the form and under the conditions described.

4. After not less than twelve or more than twenty years' probation, a possessory title in a compulsory area, if undisputed, to ripen into an absolute title to the first transferee for value in cases not exceeding £10,000 in value.

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5. In the case of leaseholds in a compulsory area, a possessory title after ten years, if undisputed, to confer a good leasehold title.

6. A "good leasehold" title in such an area in cases not exceeding £1000 in value, if undisputed, to confer, after ten years, an absolute title to the term against all persons interested in the property.

7. Where settled land is vested in trustees, they should be registered as proprietors. Settled land where not vested in trustees to be registered merely as subject to the settlement. In the last-mentioned case the registrar to issue certificates of the validity of proposed dealings.

8. Transfers to be executed by the transferees.

The register to be cleared on every change of ownership.

A purchaser of registered land to be entitled to a full copy of the entries on the register, and to abstracts and production of all instruments entered on the register which continue to affect the property.

9. The estate of the registered proprietor to be the legal estate, except where that estate is outstanding, in which case it would be an equitable estate, and such estate to be transferable only by registered intrument; the registered proprietor to have complete power in all other respects of disposing of the property or creating any interest therein for value.

10. Mortgages of registered land to be effected in the same manner as if the land were unregistered, but a note of the mortgage

deed to be entered on the register, and all mortgages to rank according to the priority of their entries. Dealings with mortgages entered on the register to be regulated by similar provisions. Mortgagees with power of sale to be authorised to transfer the land on the conditions stated. The registrar to issue certificates as in the case of settled land.

In the case of certain securities for present and future advances, the mortgagor only to be able to deal with the equity of redemption subject to the total advance agreed to be made.

11. All easements and similar rights affecting registered land appearing on the title prior to registration to be entered on the register; and claims to similar rights acquired under any instrument after registration to be similarly entered. The entries to be by reference to the instruments creating the rights.

12. A registered proprietor to be entitled to have an entry made on the register of his claim to any easement or similar right which he shows to be appurtenant to his estate, such entry not to prejudice the owner of the tenement affected.

13. Restrictive covenants affecting registered land to be registered by reference to the instrument creating them.

The court to be empowered to discharge or modify obsolete restrictive covenants affecting land, whether it be registered or unregistered.

14. "Land charges" to be treated as outside the system of registration, and placed in the same position as the liabilities in sect. 18 of the Act of 1875.

15. Provision to be made for protecting registered land and purchasers thereof against the operation of writs, orders, and bankruptcies unless notice of the same is entered on the register.

16. Minerals owned separately from the surface to be separately registered.

17. Dealings for value with a registered proprietor to be protected notwithstanding notice, whether express, implied, or constructive, of any matter outside the register, except in the case of actual fraud to which the person dealing with him is party.

18. Provision to be made for annulling or rectifying a registration which is obtained by fraud, and for dealing with the case of the registration by error of two persons in respect of the same land.

19. The Statutes of Limitation to operate in the same manner with regard to registered land as with regard to unregistered. land. The rights of parties in possession at the date of first registration to be protected.

20. Compensation to be expressly given to a party ruled out by registration in respect of the value of the land as it stood at the time of first registration. The time for the recovery of compensation to be limited to six years from the grant of absolute title, except in the case of an infant, a remainderman, a reversioner, and a mortgagee for which special periods should be fixed.

21. The form of declaration on application for first registration now in use to be altered. In the case of a possessory title or application therefor, the registrar to be empowered to register without extra charge an absolute title, whether the owner consent or not. After registration with absolute title such deeds and documents as the registrar requires to remain in the registry.

22. In a compulsory area conveyances on sale and leases to take effect on execution, but to become void as regards the legal estate or interest unless registration is applied for within a month.

23. Land boundaries to be described verbally on the register, and maps to be used for assisting identity.

24. A new certificate in simple form to be issued on every fresh dealing. Certificates of possessory title to be different in colour from those of absolute title, and to bear on the face a clear warning as to their nature. Certificates also to show by a difference in form or colour whether the register is free or not free from notices. Rules as to the production and loss of certificates to be substituted for the existing statutory provisions.

25. The procedure for giving effect on the register to the disclaimer of leaseholds in bankruptcy to be amended.

26. Solicitors to have increased representation on the Rule Committee.

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27. The Land Registry (Middlesex Deeds) Act 1891 to be amended.

28. The fees on first registration to be payable by instalments in twenty years with interest at 4 per cent. per annum, and sect. 22 (4) of the Act of 1897 to be amended so as to enable the balance between receipts and expenditure to be maintained over a series of years, instead of in each separate year.

29. A reasonable maximum limit to the office fees under the ad valorem scale to be fixed; the Land Registry Office to be relieved of the charge for the building annuity, and in lieu thereof to be charged with an annual rent based on the assessment of the building to local taxation.

30. All the receipts of the Land Registry Office to be carried to a single account, and all expenses charged against it.

31. The rule-making authority to be invited to consider whether the percentage scale of remuneration of solicitors for transfers in the higher values might not fairly be increased.

32. The system of registration of title to be amended according to the commissioner's recommendations; and if after sufficient experience the amended system is found to work satisfactorily in the existing compulsory area, Parliament to be invited to consider the gradual extension of compulsion to the rest of the country. 33. County councils to be empowered to establish local registries of deeds.

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