§ MR. R. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a passenger who died on board the Melbourne, bound for Melbourne, in October, 1886, in which the curator of the estates of deceased persons for the Colony of Victoria sold the effects of the deceased passenger before communicating with his relations; and, whether such action of the curator is in accordance with the Colonial Law; and, if so, whether he will communicate with the officials of the Colony as to the desirability of restraining for the future the curator from selling the property of passengers dying en route, until be has endeavoured to ascertain the wishes of their relations on the subject?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)I have not heard of the case referred to by the hon. Member; but I will cause inquiry to be made about the facts and communicate with him. I understand that the law, shortly stated, is as follows:—The money, goods, and effects of any deceased passenger, to which no claim is 1117 made within seven days after the arrival of the ship, are handed over to the curator. His practice is to hold over all jewelry and objects which may appear to have any special interest for the next-of-kin, and to sell the rest at periodical sales held for that purpose. The proceeds are dealt with by the curator as administrator, and distributed to next-of-kin through the office. This law seems reasonable; and, as at present advised, I am not prepared to make any communication as suggested by the hon. Member.