CHAPTER XIV. MARRIED WOMEN Can invest the money earned by any separate trade or occupation, and the same is free from the debts, control or engagements of the husband; and landed property, held before marriage or acquired subsequent thereto, can be dealt with by a married woman as if she were femme sole, with this exception that she cannot dispose of the same by will unless the husband consents. CHAPTER XV. MORTGAGES. Chattel mortgages must be registered within twenty-one days after execution, and an affidavit filed of the day and date of execution, in order to protect the property from execution creditors of the grantor. a mortgage unregistered is good between the parties, and if the mortgagee take the property into his own custody an execution creditor cannot seize it. Furniture, goods, merchandise, etc., can be mortgaged. Farming stock and crops are not subject to the Act. MORTGAGES OF LAND. A mortgagee of land is a specialty creditor; he can sue his debtor for the amount due, sell the mortgage property, or foreclose the mortgage. A mortgage is good for twenty years, but it must be registered in order to give it priority over other charges, as priority of registration gives priority of charge. CHAPTER XVI. INTEREST AND USURY. All The legal rate of interest is twelve per cent. per annum. judgments carry this rate; so do accounts, after notice that interest will be charged; but any higher rate of interest is perfectly legal, as there are no usury laws in force. CHAPTER XVII. LAND LAWS. Persons can acquire land (three hundred and twenty acres) by pre-emption, on making improvements to the value of $2.50 an acre, and residing on the land; and on a survey being made, a grant in fee simple is issued without charge, or can purchase in surveyed districts at $1 an acre. ALIENS. Foreign citizens can be naturalized after three years' residence and taking the oath of allegiance. CHAPTER XVIII. MUNICIPALITY LAWS. Commercial travelers have to pay a license of $10 for every six months. All other businesses pay a license varying from $5 to $100 a year. CHAPTER XIX. SHIPS AND SHIPPING. Foreign vessels sold to a British subject can be registered in the Dominion, subject to a tariff of ten per cent. CHAPTER XX. INSOLVENCY. At the present time there are no bankruptcy or insolvency laws in the Dominion of Canada, and the local Legislature have passed acts intended to assist creditors by rendering void all judgments by confession or assignments of chattels given by a debtor in insolvent circumstances. |