Birmingham.
_Statute of Limitations abroad_ (Vol. iv., p. 256.).--In this colony, which
is governed by the old Dutch law, the time at which prescription prevails
is one-third of a century, but some Dutch authorities hold that thirty
years is sufficient in personal actions. In Holland there were various
charters respecting prescription, such as those of Alkmaar of 1254,
Medemblik of 1288, Waterland of 1288, and others; these were cases of
possession with the knowledge of the authorities. In Holland immovable
property was acquired by prescription, without the knowledge of the
authorities, in the third of a century. In Zealand it was twenty years. By
the law of the Feudal Court, the period was a third of a century for any
property; and in the territory of Voorn, from times of old, and classed
among the laws of the year 1519, peaceable possession of any immovable
property for thirty years was held good; but there was an exception in
favour of minors and absentees.