No. IV.
An Act to p r e v e n t the waste of t h e P r o p e r t y of
Debtors u n d e r process of Law. [22nd Sep­
tember, 1843.]
W
H E R E A S i t is e x p e d i e n t t h a t t h e w a s t e of p r o p e r t y of debtors
n o w a n d for some t i m e p a s t effected u n d e r process of law be
r e s t r a i n e d u n t i l public; confidence shall revive a n d p r o p e r t y be a g a i n
saleable a t its fair value B e it therefore e n a c t e d by H i s E x c e l l e n c y the
G o v e r n o r of New S o u t h W a l e s w i t h t h e advice a n d consent of t h e
Legislative Council thereof T h a t from a n d after t h e p a s s i n g of t h i s A c t
a n y person resident in t h e said Colony w h o is desirous of o b t a i n i n g t i m e
for
for t h e p a y m e n t of his d e b t s m a y d r a w u p a s t a t e m e n t of h i s assets
a n d liabilities a n d verify t h e s a m e on o a t h before a n y Commissioner
of t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t of t h e said Colony for t a k i n g affidavits w h o is
h e r e b y a u t h o r i z e d t o a d m i n i s t e r t h e same i n t h e form i n t h e Schedule
to t h i s A c t a p p e n d e d m a r k e d A a n d if a majority consisting of n o t
less t h a n t h r e e - f o u r t h s in n u m b e r a n d v a l u e of such person's creditors
shall o n inspection of such verified s t a t e m e n t d u l y execute a letter of
license to h i m for a n y t i m e t h e y m a y t h i n k fit not exceeding t h e d u r a ­
t i o n of t h i s A c t i n t h e form or t o t h e t e n o r a n d effect of t h e Schedule
h e r e t o a p p e n d e d m a r k e d B such l e t t e r of license shall be b i n d i n g n o t
only o n those a c t u a l l y e x e c u t i n g t h e s a m e b u t also on all o t h e r t h e
creditors of t h e p e r s o n in whose favour it shall be m a d e as fully a n d
effectually as if such last m e n t i o n e d creditors h a d e x e c u t e d it t h e m ­
selves P r o v i d e d n e v e r t h e l e s s t h a t n o s u c h l e t t e r of license shall be
of a n y effect u n t i l t h e verified s t a t e m e n t on inspection of w h i c h
t h e s a m e shall h a v e b e e n executed w i t h a certificate endorsed t h e r e o n
in t h e form i n t h e S c h e d u l e t o t h i s A c t a p p e n d e d m a r k e d C a n d
signed by all t h e creditors w h o h a v e signed such l e t t e r of license
shall be filed of record in t h e said S u p r e m e C o u r t n o r shall a n y s u c h
l e t t e r of license b e h e l d t o b i n d a n y creditor n o t e x e c u t i n g t h e
s a m e u n l e s s notice of its existence i n t h e form i n t h e Schedule
h e r e t o a p p e n d e d m a r k e d D shall b e served e i t h e r u p o n h i m if h e
resides w i t h i n t h e said Colony or u p o n his a u t h o r i z e d a g e n t or a t t o r n e y
if h e resides out of t h e said Colony a n d unless such notice shall b e
p u b l i s h e d in t h e New South Wales Government
Gazette or if s u c h
d e b t o r be r e s i d e n t i n t h e D i s t r i c t of P o r t P h i l l i p i n some p u b l i c news­
p a p e r p u b l i s h e d i n t h e T o w n of M e l b o u r n e P r o v i d e d always t h a t a n y
creditor residing i n t h e said Colony m a y a u t h o r i z e a n y p e r s o n b y
w r i t i n g u n d e r his h a n d t o e x e c u t e i n his n a m e such l e t t e r of license
a n d sign such certificate a n d t h e a g e n t or a t t o r n e y of a n y creditor
r e s i d i n g o u t of said Colony d u l y a p p o i n t e d t o act generally o n h i s
behalf m a y in t h e n a m e of his p r i n c i p a l e x e c u t e such l e t t e r of license
a n d sign such certificate.
2. A n d w h e r e a s a m o n g t h e debts a p p e a r i n g in such verified
s t a t e m e n t t h e r e m a y b e book debts a n d such o t h e r s as b y law w o u l d
n o t b e a r interest a n d it is expedient a n d e q u i t a b l e t h a t all debts should
b e p u t o n a n e q u a l footing B e it enacted T h a t all b o o k d e b t s a n d
other debts of t h a t n a t u r e shall b e a r i n t e r e s t d u r i n g t h e c o n t i n u a n c e
of s u c h l e t t e r of license i n t h e s a m e w a y as all other debts p r o v i d e d
for i n such letter of license.
3. A n d be it e n a c t e d T h a t before a n y s u c h letter of license
shall be g r a n t e d it shall b e i n c u m b e n t o n every such debtor t o call a
g e n e r a l m e e t i n g of his c r e d i t o r s i n order t o lay before t h e m s u c h
verified s t a t e m e n t as aforesaid a n d t h e n a m e s of t h e aforesaid m a j o r i t y
of creditors i n n u m b e r a n d v a l u e shall b e signed t o such l e t t e r of
license a t such m e e t i n g or w i t h i n t h i r t y days after t h e s a m e shall be
h e l d P r o v i d e d always t h a t a n y creditor residing i n t h e said Colony
m a y a u t h o r i z e a n y p e r s o n t o a t t e n d a t such m e e t i n g o n h i s behalf
a n d to v o t e t h e r e a t a n d t h e a g e n t or a t t o r n e y of a n y c r e d i t o r resident
o u t of t h e Colony d u l y a p p o i n t e d as such m a y a t t e n d such m e e t i n g
a n d v o t e t h e r e a t o n behalf of such creditor
P r o v i d e d also t h a t
seven d a y s ' notice a t t h e least shall b e given of every such m e e t i n g i n
t h e Government Gazette or if such debtor be resident i n t h e D i s t r i c t
of P o r t P h i l l i p i n some p u b l i c n e w s p a p e r p u b l i s h e d i n t h e T o w n of
Melbourne.
4. A n d b e it enacted T h a t n o p e r s o n shall be a c c o u n t e d as a
creditor for t h e p u r p o s e s of t h i s A c t w h o shall owe a d e b t t o such
d e b t o r e q u a l t o or l a r g e r t h a n t h e a m o u n t entered against h i s n a m e i n
such verified s t a t e m e n t as a creditor a n d t h a t a n y creditor o w i n g a
smaller
smaller debt t o such debtor t h a n t h e a m o u n t e n t e r e d a g a i n s t h i s n a m e
in such verified s t a t e m e n t shall vote a n d sign for t h e b a l a n c e only.
5. A n d be it enacted T h a t s u c h letter of license shall on or
before t h e e x p i r a t i o n of t h e said t h i r t y days be filed of record in t h e
S u p r e m e C o u r t of N e w S o u t h W a l e s w i t h t h e said verified s t a t e m e n t
a n d shall be t h e r e open to inspection on p a y m e n t of t h e s u m of one
shilling a n d be capable w i t h t h e said verified s t a t e m e n t of b e i n g
referred t o in all proceedings in t h e said C o u r t in t h e s a m e m a n n e r as
p l e a d i n g s m a y now be Provided always t h a t on t h e order of a J u d g e
of t h e said C o u r t corrections i n or additions to t h e said l e t t e r of
license a n d verified s t a t e m e n t m a y be m a d e after t h e filing thereof.
6. A n d be it enacted T h a t if a n y creditor after h a v i n g b e c o m e
so b o u n d as aforesaid by such l e t t e r of license shall c o n t r a r y to its
i n t e n t issue a n y process or fail t o stay proceedings on a n y process
already issued out of a n y Court in t h e said Colony for t h e recovery of
a n y s u m m e n t i o n e d in t h e verified s t a t e m e n t on w h i c h such letter
of license shall h a v e been g r a n t e d it shall bo lawful for t h e debtor
a g a i n s t w h o m such process shall have b e e n issued to apply on affidavit
e i t h e r to t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t in t h e t e r m t i m e or to a J u d g e thereof
in v a c a t i o n for a r u l e nisi or an order calling u p o n t h e creditor issuing
s u c h process to shew cause w h y such process if issued after t h e
debtor issuing t h e s a m e shall h a v e become b o u n d by such letter of
license as aforesaid a n d all proceedings had thereon should n o t be set
aside and all further proceedings stayed t h e r e o n or w h y such proceed­
ings t a k e n in a n y process previously issued by a creditor after he shall
h a v e b e c o m e so b o u n d as aforesaid should n o t be set aside a n d such
C o u r t or J u d g e is hereby directed t o order such process t o be set
aside a n d f u r t h e r proceeding t o b e stayed t h e r e o n or such p r o ­
ceedings to be set aside accordingly as t h e case m a y be a n d to
a w a r d costs of t h e application on its b e i n g m a d e a p p e a r on affidavit
t h a t t h e creditor issuing such process or proceeding on such process
already issued as aforesaid was before i s s u i n g such process or t a k i n g
such p r o c e e d i n g on process already issued b o u n d b y such letter of
license as aforesaid P r o v i d e d nevertheless t h a t n o t h i n g herein shall
b e c o n s t r u e d to p r e v e n t a n y creditor in cases of difference if h e con­
siders t h e a m o u n t of his claim is incorrectly inserted in or i m p r o p e r l y
o m i t t e d from s u c h verified s t a t e m e n t to sue for t h e same in any com­
p e t e n t C o u r t in t h e said Colony a n d in t h e event of his o b t a i n i n g a
verdict for a n y a m o u n t w h e r e his claim was entirely o m i t t e d in such
verified s t a t e m e n t or for a n y a m o u n t g r e a t e r t h a n t h e s u m set out in
such verified s t a t e m e n t w h e r e a n y s u m shall be specified t h e r e i n t h e n
h e shall n o t e n t e r u p j u d g m e n t on t h e same b u t shall be entitled t o
h a v e t h e a m o u n t of such verdict w i t h t a x e d costs u p t o t h e t i m e of
p r o c u r i n g tin; verdict i n s e r t e d i n such verified s t a t e m e n t a n d if u p o n
such t o t a l s u m being so inserted in a n y such verified s t a t e m e n t it
shall a p p e a r t h a t such m a j o r i t y i n n u m b e r a n d value of t h e creditors
t h e n a p p e a r i n g t h e r e o n shall n o t h a v e e x e c u t e d t h e l e t t e r of license
g r a n t e d on inspection of such verified s t a t e m e n t such letter of license
shall be deemed t o b e void unless w i t h i n t h i r t y days from t h e t i m e of
t h e verified s t a t e m e n t being so a m e n d e d as aforesaid such letter of
license shall b e executed by as m a n y creditors as will t h e n m a k e u p
the t h r e e - f o u r t h s in n u m b e r and in value in w h i c h case it shall bind
t h e p a r t y o b t a i n i n g such verdict as aforesaid in t h e same way as t h e
o t h e r creditors P r o v i d e d f u r t h e r t h a t if a n y debtor after his verified
s t a t e m e n t shall h a v e been filed as aforesaid shall p r o c u r e a n y one
or m o r e of his creditors besides those who shall h a v e already executed
his l e t t e r of license to e x e c u t e t h e same such execution shall he
valid a n d shall n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e creditor or creditors so e x e c u t i n g
shall n o t sign t h e certificate hereinbefore m e n t i o n e d h a v e t h e same
4 G — V O L . 2.
effect
effect as t h o u g h such creditor or creditors h a d executed s u c h letter
of license a n d certificate as hereinbefore provided b u t n o such subse­
q u e n t e x e c u t i o n shall be b i n d i n g on t h e rest of t h e creditors in a n y
case w h e r e a n addition to t h e o r i g i n a l list of liabilities in t h e verified
s t a t e m e n t as aforesaid shall h a v e r e n d e r e d such execution necessary
t o m a k e u p t h e r e q u i s i t e a m o u n t i n n u m b e r a n d v a l u e unless notice
thereof i n t h e form i n t h e Schedule h e r e t o a p p e n d e d m a r k e d E shall
b e before t h e e x p i r a t i o n of t h e t h i r t y days aforesaid or a t a n y t i m e
before t h e y c o m m e n c e t o r u n left a t t h e residence of such of t h e credi­
t o r s as reside i n t h e said Colony or a t t h e residence of t h e a u t h o r i z e d
a g e n t s or a t t o r n i e s of such creditors as reside out of t h e said Colony
or u n l e s s such notice shall w i t h i n t h e like t i m e b e p u b l i s h e d in t h e
New South Wales Government
Gazette.
7. A n d w h e r e a s a debtor m a y t h r o u g h i n a d v e r t e n c e omit to
i n s e r t i n his verified s t a t e m e n t t h e n a m e of some creditor whose debt
h e does n o t i n t e n d to d i s p u t e B e it therefore e n a c t e d T h a t it shall be
lawful for such debtor a t a n y t i m e after h i s verified s t a t e m e n t shall
h a v e been filed as aforesaid t o i n s e r t t h e n a m e a n d t h e a m o u n t of t h e
debt of such creditor so o m i t t e d i n h i s said verified s t a t e m e n t such
i n s e r t i o n t o b e witnessed b y t h e Chief Clerk or other officer appointed
for t h a t p u r p o s e b y t h e J u d g e s of t h e said S u p r e m e C o u r t a n d s u c h
debt a n d i n a d v e r t e n c e shall a t t h e t i m e of such insertion be verified
a n d a c c o u n t e d for b y affidavit t o b e filed w i t h a n d a t t a c h e d t o his
verified s t a t e m e n t a n d such a d d i t i o n so m a d e t o such verified s t a t e m e n t
shall h a v e t h e s a m e effect i n all respects as is hereinbefore provided
for those cases w h e r e t h e a m o u n t of v e r d i c t a n d costs i n a n y d i s p u t e d
m a t t e r shall be inserted i n such verified s t a t e m e n t .
8. A n d w h e r e a s cases m a y arise w h e r e v e r d i c t s m a y be recovered
a g a i n s t a debtor so o b t a i n i n g a letter of license as aforesaid for other
causes t h a n l i q u i d a t e d d a m a g e s B e it therefore enacted T h a t such
v e r d i c t s if founded on causes of action e x i s t i n g before t h e d a t e of such
l e t t e r of license shall w i t h t a x e d costs u p t o t h e t i m e of p r o n o u n c i n g
t h e s a m e b e dealt w i t h a n d h a v e t h e same effect as hereinbefore provided
for verdicts i n t h e case of d i s p u t e d claims w h e r e such verdicts shall be
for a s u m n o t e n t e r e d i n s u c h verified s t a t e m e n t as aforesaid or for a
g r e a t e r s u m t h a n t h e one e n t e r e d i n such verified s t a t e m e n t as afore­
said.
9. A n d b e it e n a c t e d T h a t i n t h e event of a n y s u c h l e t t e r of
license b e c o m i n g void as aforesaid b y t h e i n s e r t i o n in t h e verified
s t a t e m e n t of a n y d e b t a n d costs recovered as aforesaid or b y a n y
a d d i t i o n m a d e t h e r e t o b y a n y debtor as aforesaid of a n y debt inadver­
t e n t l y o m i t t e d t h e n n o s e p a r a t e j u d g m e n t shall be entered u p a g a i n s t
t h e debtor in whose favour such l e t t e r of license shall h a v e b e e n g r a n t e d
b y a n y of h i s creditors for t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l d e b t b u t it shall be c o m p e t e n t
for t h e said S u p r e m e C o u r t i n t e r m t i m e or a n y J u d g e thereof in
v a c a t i o n on t h e m o t i o n of a n y creditor and o n affidavit of t h e c i r c u m ­
stances t o order a j u d g m e n t t o be signed in t h e n a m e of t h e p r i n c i p a l
c r e d i t o r for t h e w h o l e a m o u n t of t h e debts specified i n s u c h verified
s t a t e m e n t w i t h t h e costs of t h e application a n d t o order a w r i t of fieri
facias t o b e i s s u e d t h e r e o n a n d lodged f o r t h w i t h w i t h t h e Sheriff of t h e
said Colony or h i s lawful d e p u t y w i t h a copy of t h e verified s t a t e m e n t
of t h e debtor against w h o m such writ shall b e issued a n d t h e said Sheriff
or h i s d e p u t y shall t h e r e u p o n cause a levy t o b e m a d e of all t h e p r o p e r t y
of t h e said d e b t o r a n d shall proceed t o dispose thereof as such majority
i n n u m b e r a n d v a l u e of t h e creditors of such debtor shall r e q u i r e by
notice i n w r i t i n g to b e served o n h i m for t h a t p u r p o s e or i n default of
such notice w i t h i n one m o n t h from t h e t i m e of t h e writ b e i n g lodged
t h e n i n such m a n n e r as a n y J u d g e of t h e said C o u r t shall by order u n d e r
his h a n d direct a n d t h e proceeds realized shall b e divided r a t e a b l y a m o n g
all
all t h e creditors m e n t i o n e d i n t h e said verified s t a t e m e n t P r o v i d e d t h a t
n o t h i n g h e r e i n contained shall h e c o n s t r u e d t o p r e v e n t a n y creditor after
such division from proceeding separately a g a i n s t such debtor i n a n y
m a n n e r b e m a y t h i n k fit for a n y a m o u n t t h a t m a y t h e n r e m a i n d u e t o
h i m a n d provided f u r t h e r t h a t n o creditor shall b e entitled t o receive
a n y p a r t of t h e m o n e y realized on such levy from t h e said Sheriff
u n l e s s h e shall first p l a c e or cause t o b e placed i n t h e h a n d s of t h e
said Sheriff a n affidavit s w o r n b y h i m or some credible p e r s o n on h i s
b e h a l f o t h e r t h a n t h e debtor himself before some Commissioner of t h e
said S u p r e m e C o u r t for f a k i n g affidavits s h e w i n g t h e a m o u n t of h i s
d e b t a n d h o w i t w a s i n c u r r e d all w h i c h affidavits t h e said Sheriff is
h e r e b y directed to file i n t h e said S u p r e m e Court t h e r e t o b e placed
w i t h t h e original verified s t a t e m e n t .
10. A n d b e it enacted T h a t it shall be lawful for a n y one or
m o r e of t h e creditors inserted i n a n y such verified s t a t e m e n t a s afore­
said a t a n y t i m e after t h e e x e c u t i o n of a n y such l e t t e r of license u p o n
g i v i n g one m o n t h ' s notice i n w r i t i n g u n d e r h i s or t h e i r h a n d s t o t h e
d e b t o r w h o shall h a v e obtained s u c h l e t t e r of license t o cause h i m to
lay before h i m or t h e m a n exact s t a t e m e n t of h i s affairs a t t h a t t i m e
a n d of w h a t h e h a s b e e n d o i n g w i t h h i s assets since h e o b t a i n e d h i s
letter of license a n d also t o i n s p e c t h i s p e r s o n a l p r o p e r t y a n d if such
debtor shall n e g l e c t or refuse t o give such s t a t e m e n t or allow s u c h
inspection it shall b e lawful for a n y of h i s said creditors t o apply on
affidavit of t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s t o t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t i n t e r m t i m e or t o
a J u d g e thereof i n vacation for a r u l e nisi or a J u d g e ' s s u m m o n s
calling u p o n t h e debtor so n e g l e c t i n g or refusing to shew cause w h y
his l e t t e r of license should n o t b e adjudged t o b e void a n d it shall be
declared b y such C o u r t or J u d g e t o void a c c o r d i n g l y u n l e s s on h e a r i n g
t h e m a t t e r r e a s o n b e s h e w n t o t h e satisfaction of such C o u r t or J u d g e
for such n e g l e c t or refusal a n d i n t h e event of s u c h letter of license
b e i n g t h e n declared void proceedings shall b e t a k e n i n all respects
t h e r e a f t e r a s is hereinbefore provided i n t h e event of a l e t t e r of license
being declared void.
1 1 . A n d l)e i t enacted T h a t if a n y of t h e creditors of a n y
debtor w h o shall h a v e obtained such l e t t e r of license a s aforesaid shall
discover after t h e e x e c u t i o n thereof t h a t a n y false e n t r i e s or m a t e r i a l
omissions h a v e been m a d e in such verified s t a t e m e n t as aforesaid or
t h a t t h e d e b t o r t o w h o m such letter of license h a s b e e n g r a n t e d is
m a k i n g a w a y w i t h a n y of h i s effects w h e t h e r the same b e e n u m e r a t e d
or n o t i n such verified s t a t e m e n t or t h a t h e is t a k i n g steps t o defraud
his said creditors of t h e proceeds thereof or t o lessen i n a n y w a y his
m e a n s of p a y i n g h i s creditors t h e i r j u s t debts or t h a t h e i n t e n d s a n d
is t a k i n g or h a s t a k e n steps t o leave t h e Colony i t shall b e lawful for
t h e said C o u r t i n t e r m t i m e or for a J u d g e thereof i n v a c a t i o n on
application s u p p o r t e d b y affidavit t o t h e above effect t o g r a n t a r u l e
nisi or a J u d g e ' s s u m m o n s calling u p o n such debtor t o shew cause w h y
his l e t t e r of license should n o t b e declared void a n d such C o u r t or
J u d g e is h e r e b y empowered t o declare s u c h l e t t e r of license void if it
shall a p p e a r t o t h e satisfaction of t h e said C o u r t or J u d g e t h a t t h e said
d e b t o r is g u i l t y of a n y of t h e above a c t s a n d such C o u r t or J u d g e is
also e m p o w e r e d on affidavit of belief a n d t h e g r o u n d of such belief
t h a t s u c h debtor is a b o u t t o l e a v e t h e said Colony i n addition to
g r a n t i n g t h e r u l e nisi or s u m m o n s as aforesaid t o issue a writ of capias
ad respondendum
i n such form as such C o u r t or J u d g e m a y prescribe
to t a k e t h e said debtor a n d hold h i m over i n sufficient b a i l n o t t o leave
t h e said Colony u n t i l h e is discharged from his debts by d u e course of
law a n d if t h e said C o u r t or J u d g e shall on h e a r i n g t h e m a t t e r s afore­
said declare such l e t t e r of license as aforesaid t o b e void such Court or
Judge
J u d g e shall a n d m a y order j u d g m e n t to b e e n t e r e d u p in t h e n a m e of
t h e p r i n c i p a l creditor as before provided for a n d proceedings shall b e
t a k e n t h e r e o n in all respects as is hereinbefore enacted i n t h e case
w h e r e j u d g m e n t is a u t h o r i z e d to be e n t e r e d u p i n t h e n a m e of t h e
p r i n c i p a l creditor.
12. A n d b e it enacted T h a t it shall b e lawful for a n y creditor
w h o s e n a m e shall h a v e b e e n inserted i n or added t o a n y such verified
s t a t e m e n t filed as aforesaid if h e shall be of opinion t h a t t h e n a m e of
a n y p e r s o n s i g n i n g a n y such letter of license as aforesaid is im­
p r o p e r l y inserted as a creditor i n t h e verified s t a t e m e n t on inspection
of w h i c h s u c h l e t t e r of license shall h a v e b e e n g r a n t e d or is inserted
t h e r e i n for a g r e a t e r a m o u n t t h a n is d u e t o h i m t o a p p l y t o t h e said
S u p r e m e C o u r t i n t e r m t i m e or to a J u d g e thereof in vacation u p o n
affidavit of t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s for a r u l e or order w h i c h such C o u r t or
J u d g e is h e r e b y empowered t o issue directing such p e r s o n so suspected
of b e i n g i m p r o p e r l y i n s e r t e d i n such verified s t a t e m e n t t o file i n t h e
office of t h e said S u p r e m e C o u r t a n affidavit s t a t i n g t h a t t h e s u m for
w h i c h his n a m e w a s i n s e r t e d i n s u c h verified s t a t e m e n t w a s d u e at t h e
t i m e it was so inserted as well as h o w t h e s a m e b e c a m e d u e a n d copies
of s u c h r u l e or o r d e r shall b e served personally on t h e debtor w h o filed
such verified s t a t e m e n t as well as u p o n t h e person ordered to file such
affidavit a n d if w i t h i n one week after such r u l e or order shall h a v e
b e e n so served w h e r e t h e person directed t o file such affidavit resides
i n t h e City of Sydney or T o w n of M e l b o u r n e i n t h e said Colony or
w i t h i n t h i r t y days w h e r e h e resides i n a n y o t h e r p a r t of t h e said
Colony s u c h affidavit shall n o t b e filed in obedience t o such r u l e or
o r d e r t h e n i t shall b e lawful for t h e creditor a t whose i n s t a n c e such
r u l e or o r d e r m a y h a v e b e e n issued on affidavit of t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s
to a p p l y to t h e said S u p r e m e C o u r t i n t e r m t i m e or t o a J u d g e thereof
in v a c a t i o n for a n order to s t r i k e t h e n a m e of t h a t person out of t h e
verified s t a t e m e n t on w h i c h such license m a y h a v e been g r a n t e d a n d if
t h e r e q u i s i t e n u m b e r of creditors shall n o t t h e n a p p e a r t o have e x e c u t e d
t h e l e t t e r of license t h e n to declare t h e same t o be void w h i c h such
C o u r t or J u d g e is h e r e b y directed a n d r e q u i r e d t o do a n d w h e n a n y
s u c h l e t t e r of license shall be so ordered t o be void all proceedings t o
be thereafter t a k e n a g a i n s t t h e debtor who m a y h a v e obtained t h e same
shall b e similar i n every respect to those hereinbefore directed in t h e
case of a l e t t e r of license b e c o m i n g void a n d i n every case w h e r e a,
p e r s o n ' s n a m e shall be ordered by t h e said C o u r t or J u d g e t o b e erased
from a n y such verified s t a t e m e n t for n o t filing such affidavit as afore­
said it shall b e lawful for such C o u r t or J u d g e f u r t h e r to order s u c h
p e r s o n to p a y all t h e costs i n c u r r e d by t h e creditor m a k i n g t h e appli­
cation for p r o c u r i n g such p e r s o n ' s n a m e so t o be erased.
1 3 . A n d b e it e n a c t e d T h a t n o levy or p o u n d a g e m o n e y b e y o n d
t h e a c t u a l expense of t h e levy shall be c h a r g e a b l e on a n y w r i t s of
fieri facias issued u n d e r t h i s A c t u n t i l a sale of t h e whole or some
p o r t i o n of t h e effects levied on and t h e n only on t h e a c t u a l a m o u n t
realized a n d t h a t in all such cases t h e r e shall b e c h a r g e a b l e only onef o u r t h of t h e fees n o w c h a r g e a b l e by t h e Sheriff on sales m a d e by h i m .
1 1 . A n d b e it e n a c t e d T h a t w h e n e v e r a n y debtor resident
w i t h i n t h e D i s t r i c t of P o r t P h i l l i p shall file his verified s t a t e m e n t a n d
o b t a i n a license u n d e r t h i s A c t a n d in all m a t t e r s a n d t h i n g s to be
done i n t h e said district u n d e r a n d by v i r t u e of t h e same t h e words
" S u p r e m e C o u r t " " J u d g e " " O f f i c e " " Chief Clerk " or " Com­
m i s s i o n e r " of t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t respectively a n d " S h e r i f f of t h e
Colony " as often as t h e y occur in a n y of t h e provisions of t h i s A c t
shall be respectively held t o m e a n t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t R e s i d e n t J u d g e
Office Chief Clerk or C o m m i s s i o n e r of t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t a t M e l b o u r n e
a n d D e p u t y Sheriff of t h e said District of P o r t Phillip.
15.
1 5 . A n d b e it e n a c t e d T h a t n o creditor s i g n i n g a n y such l e t t e r
of license shall t h e r e b y be held to release except d u r i n g t h e con­
t i n u a n c e of such l e t t e r of license t h e liability of a n y d r a w e r or endorser
of a n y bill of e x c h a n g e or p r o m i s s o r y n o t e held b y s u c h creditor a n d
u p o n w h i c h t h e debtor o b t a i n i n g such l e t t e r of license shall be p r i m a r i l y
liable as acceptor or m a k e r thereof respectively P r o v i d e d always t h a t
i n all cases w h e r e a n y creditor n o t s i g n i n g a n y such l e t t e r of license
is nevertheless b o u n d t h e r e b y t h e r e m e d y of every such creditor against
a n y d r a w e r or endorser of a n y such bill of e x c h a n g e or promissory
n o t e shall not b e suspended or affected i n a n y way w h a t e v e r .
16. A n d be it enacted T h a t a n y p e r s o n wilfully m a k i n g a false
affirmation or wilfully t a k i n g a false o a t h in a n y case w h e r e h e shall
be r e q u i r e d to m a k e a n affirmation or t a k e a n o a t h u n d e r t h i s A c t
shall be deemed g u i l t y of p e r j u r y a n d shall be p u n i s h e d accordingly.
17. A n d b e it enacted T h a t t h i s A c t shall be i n force for two
y e a r s a n d from t h e n c e u n t i l t h e end of t h e n e x t Session of t h e said
Legislative Council.
SCHEDULES
REFERRED
TO.
A.
I A . B . [ h e r e slate place
of abode and calling] d o h e r e b y s w e a r [or a firm if a
Quaker
or Moravian]
t h a t t h e s t a t e m e n t h e r e t o a n n e x e d is to t h e b e s t of m y b e l i e f t r u e in e v e r y
i t e m e n t r y a n d p a r t i c u l a r thereof a n d t h a t no m a t e r i a l e n t r y item or p a r t i c u l a r has been
o m i t t e d b y m e w h i c h o u g h t t o h a v e b e e n m a d e o r i n s e r t e d t h e r e i n for t h e i n f o r m a t i o n of
m y c r e d i t o r s a n d so a s t o g i v e t h e m a full a n d t r u e a c c o u n t of t h e p r e s e n t s t a t e of m y
affairs a n d l a s t l y t h a t t h e said s t a t e m e n t is t o t h e b e s t of m y k n o w l e d g e a n d b e l i e f in e v e r y
r e s p e c t a full t r u e f a i t h f u l a n d p a r t i c u l a r a c c o u n t of all m y d e b t s c r e d i t s effects a n d e s t a t e
of e v e r y d e s c r i p t i o n r e a l a n d p e r s o n a l — S o h e l p m e G o d .
A. B
S w o r n ( o r a f f i r m e d ) before m e a t
this
d a y of
A.D.
R.
K N O W a l l m e n b y t h e s e p r e s e n t s t h a t w e t h e u n d e r s i g n e d b e i n g a m a j o r i t y c o n s i s t i n g of
n o t l e s s t h a n t h r e e - f o u r t h s i n n u m b e r a n d v a l u e of t h e c r e d i t o r s of A . B. [here state
place
of residence and trade calling or profession
of the party to whom this letter of license is to be
given] d o h e r e b y g i v e h i m t i m e of p a y m e n t for t h e r e s p e c t i v e d e b t s s e t o p p o s i t e o u r
r e s p e c t i v e n a m e s h e r e u n d e r w r i t t e n as follows t h a t is t o s a y
shillings
i n t h e p o u n d o n e a c h of o u r s a i d r e s p e c t i v e d e b t s t o b e p a i d t o u s r e s p e c t i v e l y w i t h i n t e r e s t
t h e r e o n a f t e r t h e r a t e of
per cent on t h e
day
of
A.D.
other
s h i l l i n g s i n t h e p o u n d [here state
the other instalments
as agreed upon making the full sum of twenty shillings
in the pound
with
interest
us aforesaid
and then continue]
a l l of w h i c h s a i d r e s p e c t i v e s u m s a n d a l l t h e s u m s
specified i n t h e verified s t a t e m e n t a c o p y of w h i c h is a n n e x e d w i t h i n t e r e s t t h e r e o n as afore­
said t h e said A . B . h e r e b y c o v e n a n t s a n d agrees to p a y to his several u n d e r s i g n e d creditors
a n d t o a l l o t h e r h i s c r e d i t o r s n a m e d in h i s s a i d verified s t a t e m e n t a s t h e s a i d s u m s r e s p e c ­
t i v e l y fall d u e o t h e r w i s e t h i s l e t t e r of l i c e n s e to be t h e n c e f o r t h n u l l a n d v o i d
Provided
t h a t t h i s l e t t e r of l i c e n s e s h a l l n o t b i n d a n y c r e d i t o r e x e c u t i n g i t u n t i l i t s h a l l b e s i g n e d b y
t h e t h r e e - f o u r t h s i n n u m b e r a n d v a l u e of t h e s a i d A . B . ' s c r e d i t o r s a s specified in t h e said
statement
I n witness whereof we have h e r e u n t o set o u r respective h a n d s a n d seals this
d a y of
A.D.
S i g n e d sealed a n d delivered
C.D.
[amount]
(L.S.)
in t h e p r e s e n c e of
B. F.
[amount]
(L.S.)
c.
W E t h e u n d e r s i g n e d b e i n g n o t less t h a n t h r e e - f o u r t h s in n u m b e r a n d in v a l u e of t h e
c r e d i t o r s of t h e w i t h i n n a m e d A . B . d o h e r e b y c e r t i f y t h a t t h e w i t h i n is t h e verified s t a t e ­
m e n t on p e r u s i n g w h i c h we s i g n e d t h e l e t t e r of l i c e n s e of t h e s a i d A . B .
Dated this
d a y of
A.D.
C. 1).
E.
F
D .
D.
I A . B . [here insert residence
and trade or calling]
do hereby give notice t h a t I have this
d a y o b t a i n e d f r o m t h r e e - f o u r t h s i n n u m b e r a n d v a l u e of m y c r e d i t o r s a l e t t e r of l i c e n s e
g i v i n g m e t i m e for t h e p a y m e n t of m y d e b t s b y i n s t a l m e n t s of [here state time and
manner
of payment]
a n d t h e verified s t a t e m e n t o n t h e p e r u s a l of w h i c h s u c h l e t t e r of l i c e n s e w a s
e x e c u t e d h a s b e e n filed b y me of r e c o r d i n t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t of N e w S o u t h W a l e s .
Dated this
d a y of
A. D.
V. B .
E.
I A . B . [here insert
residence
and
[here insert
addition']
inserted in
amount]
did on t h e
e x e c u t e m y l e t t e r of l i c e n s e .
Dated this
d a y of
trade or calling]
d o h e r e b y g i v e n o t i c e t h a t C. D . of
m y s c h e d u l e a c r e d i t o r t o t h e a m o u n t of [here
insert
d a y of
A.D.
A. D.
A. B