SOUTHERN AFRICA. 145 
who may die intestate. At the decease of either parent, 
where there are children, an account of the joint property is 
taken by the Chamber, and in the event of the survivor in- 
tending to marry a second time, such survivor must pass a 
bond to secure the half share of the deceased to the children 
by the former marriage. 
This excellent institution is managed by a president and 
four members, a secretary, and several clerks. Their emolu- 
ments arise from a per centage of 2| on the amount of all 
property that comes under their administration, and from 
sums of money accruing from the interest of unclaimed pro- 
perty, and the compound interest arising from the unexpended 
incomes of orphans during their minority. The Secretary, ' in 
addition to a fixed salary, has an allowance of 4 per cent, on 
the sale of orphan property, which almost always takes place 
in order to make a just distribution among the children. 
This is considered as an indemnification for his responsibility 
to the board for the payment of the property sold. The 
clerks divide among them one per cent., so that all orphan 
property, passing through the Chamber, suffers a reduction 
of 7i per cent, upon the capital, which is 2f per cent, less 
than when left to the administration of private executors, 
who have 5 per cent, for their trouble, and must pay 5 per 
cent, to government on the public vendue, from which the 
Orphan Chamber is exempt 
VOL. II. 
