Colonial Despatches

Clients of ours resident in this Country but who carry on a large business in Partnership at Victoria in Vancouver's Island being about to retire from such business and to dispose of the Goodwill to another party are anxious if possible to arrange with him to receive the consideration for such sale by way of a perCentage of the profits for the next few years, but to enable us to advise him in regard thereto whether they can safely enter into such agreement without incurring the liability of Partners, it is necessary for us to ascertain whether the Act passed in the last Session of Parliament to amend the Law of Partnership (28 & 29 Victoria Chapter 86) has been applied to the Colonies. If not, the Colonies not being expressly named therein, and it being subsequent to the establishment of the Colony in question, we take it to be clear that, in accordance with the ordinary rule, the Law at Vancouver's Island in this respect would remain unaltered by the Act and that our clients by sharing in the profits would be liable as partners in accordance with what was previously the Law here.

Under these circumstances may we ask you kindly to inform us whether any similar Alteration in the Law has been made for the Colony or if not whether such is in contemplation.