Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Museums Act 1983 - SECT 25

Disposal of unclaimed property

25. Disposal of unclaimed property



(1) Subject to subsection (2) and with the approval of the Governor in Council
the Board may retain, exchange, sell, lease or dispose of any property which
although not vested in it by or under this Act-

   (a)  has been submitted to or left with the Board or its duly authorized
        officer with a view to its acceptance by the Board by way of gift or
        purchase or for valuation or for the giving of an opinion thereon by
        or on behalf of the Board or for consideration for the purpose of any
        prize or competition;

   (b)  has remained in the possession or custody of the Board for a period of
        not less than five years; and

   (c)  has not, after notice given as hereinafter provided, been claimed by
        or on behalf of the person submitting or leaving such property as
        aforesaid or any other person claiming such property or any interest
        therein.

(2) Before seeking the approval of the Governor in Council to any retention,
exchange, sale, lease or disposal pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1)
the Board shall give not less than six months notice of its intention so to
deal with the property-

   (a)  by written notice sent by prepaid registered post to the person who
        submitted or left the property and addressed to him at his last known
        place of abode or business or, if such person is deceased, to his
        personal representative in like manner; or

   (b)  by notice published in the Government Gazette and in a daily newspaper
        circulating generally throughout Victoria if the name or the place of
        abode or business of the person who submitted or left the property is
        not known to the Board.