New Zealand Stamp Duties.

Embodying Stamp Act, 1875, and Amending Acts.

Affidavit or declaration, each, 2s 6d.

Agreement or memorandum, the value of £20, or upwards, other than an agreement for lease, 1s; agreement by deed, 10s; letters offered in evidence of agreement, one must be stamped, 2s 6d.

Annual License by all joint stock and incorporated companies, but not mining or flax, &c., companies, 1s per cent, on nominal capital, but not to exceed £200.

Appointments of power over any property, not being by will, 10s; appointments of new trustee or trustees (other than by will), 10s.

Appraisements or Valuation under £20, is; under £50,25 6d; under £100, 5s; under £200, 10; under £500, 15s; over £500,20s.

Award under £20, 1s; under £50, 2s 6d; under £100, 5s; under £200, 10s; under £500, 15s; under £1,000, 20s; over £1,000, 35s.

Bill of Exchange (the term includes cheque, Draft, order, letters of credit) payable on demand, 1d. Payable otherwise than on demand—not exceeding £50, 1s; for every additional £50 or parte of £50, 1s; if Drawn in sets of two, for every bill of each set noil exceeding £50, 6d; for every additional £50 or part of £50, 6d; if in sets of three or more, for every bill of each set not exceeding £50, 4d; page 109 for every additional £50, or part of £50, 4d. Penalty of £50 for signing a bill of exchange not stamped.

Bill of Lading, or receipt for master, mate, or agent of vessel for goods, merchandize, or effects to be carried out of the colony, for every bill or copy, 1s.

Certificate of Incorporation, £5.

Conveyance, any kind or description, where property sold shall be conveyed to or vested in the purchaser or other persons by his direction, where the purchase money shall not exceed £50, 5s; exceeding £50, not exceeding £100, 10s; exceeding £100, for every £50 or part of £50, 5s. All persons purchasing and receiving a conveyance for property shall pay the ad valorem duty. Conveyance by way of exchange, duty payable on sum paid by way of equality, same as on a conveyance; in any other case, 10s. Conveyances in consideration of an annuity, duty payable on value of annuity.

Counterpart of any instrument chargeable with duty (where the duty does not amount to 2s 6d), the same duty as the original instrument; in any other case, 2s 6d. This does not affect Bills of Exchange Drawn in sets.

Deed of any kind not otherwise charged, 10s.

Draft or Order, including cheques or orders on bankers for payment to payee named, or to bearer, or order on demand, or otherwise, not otherwise charged, 1d.—See "Bills of Exchange.

Lease, or agreement for a lease, or any written document for a tenancy of lands, tenements, or hereditaments, without consideration or premium, the yearly rent, not exceeding £50, 2s 6d; £50, and not exceeding £100. 5s; above £100, for every fractional part of £50,:2s 6d. Lease or agreement as above, where the consideration is a sum of money as premium without rent or with an annual rent, same duty on the premium as on a conveyance of £20 and upwards, including above duty on the rent.

Memorandum of Transfer.—Where not a transfer on sale or exchange of property, 10s; where transfer on ditto, same as conveyance.

Memorandum of Lease.—Same duty as on leases.

Memorial.—Authorised to be registered under "Deeds Registration Act, 1868," 10s.

Notarial Act.—Notarial acts (except protests on injury to ship or cargo), 1s. For every maritime protest for or in respect of any injury or damage to any ship, or vessel, or the cargo, or loading thereof, or for any purpose that such protest may be required, and whether noted only or extended in due form, 2s 6d. Exemption, noting any protest.

Partition.—Instrument effecting partition of lands, &c., duty payable on sum paid by way of equality as conveyance; in any other case. 10s.

Policy of Insurance Marine on vessels, merchandise, or other property on board, or freight covered by a time policy, must be Stamped within fourteen days after the date it was signed; after fourteen days and within thirty days, it may still be stamped (penalty £10). and the duty chargeable must first be paid. If Drawn and signed out of the colony, it may be stamped within sixty days of its arrival in the colony without penalty. Upon every policy of sea insurance on any voyage, for every £100, or part of £100, 1s. Upon every policy of sea insurance for time, for every £100, or part of £100, insured page 110 Where the insurance for not exceeding six months, 1s. Where the insurance is lor over six months, but not exceeding twelve months, 2s,

Power of Attorney, or letters of attorney whether executed out of the colony or within the colony, 10s.

Receipt given upon payment of money; amount £2 and upwards, 1d.

Transfer—except by way of Mortgage, of any run or station held under lease or license or promise of lease or license from the Crown, or interest therein, where value should not exceed £100, ios, and for every £100, or part of £100, 10s. Transfer of share or shares in stock and funds of any corporation, company, or society in New Zealand, purchase money under £20, 1s; over £20 not exceeding 2s 6d; over £50 not exceeding £100 5s every additional £50, or part 2s 6d. Transfer or assignment of miner's property on the consideration or value not exceeding £20, 1s; not exceeding £50, 2s 6d, not exceeding £100, 5s; then 2s 6d for every £50 or part.

Promissory Notes, payable on demand, 1d; for payment other than on demand—not exceeding £25, 6d; not exceeding £50, is. For every additional £50 or part of £50, 1s. Promissory notes for payment on demand issued by any bank or banking company are not included in this section.

Deed of Settlement, whether voluntary or upon good or valuable consideration; and any instrument declaring that property vested in the person who executes same shall be held in trust, upon the value of the property settled, for every £100 or part of £100, 5s.

All deeds or instruments requiring stamps after execution, if presented for stamp over one month, and less than three months after date, are liable to a penalty of 20 per cent, on the value of stamp, and over three months 100 per cent. on the value of stamp, but in no case shall the last-mentioned fine be less than £5. Under the Stamp Act of 1875 the several duties heretofore payable for Probate, or administration, and Legacy, Succession, and Residuary Duties, are repealed, as regards the property of persons dying after the 31st December, 1875, and one general duty substituted in respect of the value of the whole real and personal estate of the deceased. The rates of duty vary according to the relationship of the persons taking interests in the property to the deceased. But no duty is payable in respect of property left to or devolving on the husband or wife of the deceased, or on any property held by the deceased as a trustee, or on any devise or bequest to a charitable, religious, or educational body.