53. Possession of property by trustee

The trustee shall, as soon as may be, take possession of the deeds, books and documents of the bankrupt and all other parts of his property capable of manual delivery.

The trustee shall, in relation to and for the purpose of acquiring or retaining possession of the property of the bankrupt, be in the same position as if he were a receiver of the property appointed by the Court, and the Court may on his application enforce such acquisition or retention accordingly.

Where any part of the property of the barikrupt consists of stock, shares in ships, shares, or any other property transferable in the books of any company, office or person, the trustee may exercise the right to transfer the property to the same extent as the bankrupt might have exercised it if he had not become bankrupt.

Where any part of the property of the bankrupt consists of things in action, such things is deemed to have been duly assigned to the trustee.

Subject to the provisions of this Act with respect to property acquired by a binkrupt after adjudication, any treasurer or-other officer, or any banker, attorney, clerk, servant, comprador, employer or agent, of a bankrupt, shall pay and deliver to the trustee all money and securities in his possession or power, which he is not by law entitled to retain as against the bankrupt or the trustee. If he does not, he shall be guilty of a contenlpt of court and may be punished accordingly on the application of the trustee.