The Short Title of this Act is “The Charitable Gifts Duties Exemption Act, 1908.”

This Act is a consolidation of the enactments mentioned in the Schedule hereto.

In this Act the term “charitable bequest” means devises, bequests, and legacies of real or personal property respectively of whatever description to public institutions such as libraries, museums, institutions for the promotion of science and art, colleges and schools, or to hospitals, orphan, lunatic, or benevolent asylums, or dispensaries.

This Act shall apply to any charitable bequest, whether or not the institution in whose favour it is made is in existence at the time of the bequest.

Notwithstanding anything in “The Death Duties Act, 1908,” or in any other Act of a like character, no duty whatsoever shall be payable in respect of any charitable bequest.

Where by deed or will any property is voluntarily conveyed, devised, bequeathed, or transferred to trustees in trust for the benefit of the public, such conveyance, devise, bequest, or transfer shall be exempt from all duties which but for this Act would be payable thereon.