DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

PUBLIC STORAGE, INC.

 

EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N. A., AS DEPOSITARY

 

AND

 

THE HOLDERS FROM TIME TO TIME OF

THE DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS DESCRIBED HEREIN

RELATING TO SERIES F PREFERRED STOCK

 

 

DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

 

 

Dated as of October 3, 2005

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

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DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, dated as of October 3, 2005, among PUBLIC STORAGE, INC., a California corporation (the “Company”), Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, EquiServe Trust Company, N. A., a national banking association (collectively, the “Depositary” or individually “CSS” and the “Trust Company” respectively), and the holders from time to time of the Receipts described herein.

 

WHEREAS, it is desired to provide, as hereinafter set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the additional deposit of shares of Series F Preferred Stock of the Company with the Depositary for the purposes set forth in this Deposit Agreement and for the issuance hereunder of Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares in respect of the Stock so deposited; and

 

WHEREAS, the Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises contained herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

The following definitions shall, for all purposes, unless otherwise indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement:

 

“Certificate” shall mean the Certificate of Determination filed with the Secretary of State of the State of California establishing the Stock as a series of preferred stock of the Company.

 

“Deposit Agreement” shall mean this Deposit Agreement, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

“Depositary” shall mean the Depositary as defined above and any successor as Depositary hereunder.

 

“Depositary Shares” shall mean Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000 of a share of Stock and evidenced by a Receipt.

 

“Depositary’s Agent” shall mean an agent appointed by the Depositary pursuant to Section 5.1 and shall include the Registrar if such Registrar is not the Depositary.

 

“Depositary’s Office” shall mean the principal office of the Depositary at which at any particular time its depositary receipt business shall be administered.

 

“Receipt” shall mean one of the Depositary Receipts, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto, issued hereunder, whether in definitive or temporary form and

evidencing the number of Depositary Shares held of record by the record holder of such Depositary Shares.

 

“record holder” or “holder” as applied to a Receipt shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for such purpose.

 

“Registrar” shall mean the Depositary or such other bank or trust company which shall be appointed to register ownership and transfers of Receipts as herein provided.

 

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Stock” shall mean shares of the Company’s 6.45% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F, $.01 par value per share.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Form of Receipts, Deposit of Stock,

Execution and Delivery, Transfer,

Surrender and Redemption of Receipts

 

SECTION 2.1 Form And Transfer Of Receipts . Definitive Receipts shall be engraved or printed or lithographed on steel-engraved borders, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided, if and to the extent required by any securities exchange on which the Receipts are listed. Pending the preparation of definitive Receipts or if definitive Receipts are not required by any securities exchange on which the Receipts are listed, the Depositary, upon the written order of the Company or any holder of Stock, as the case may be, delivered in compliance with Section 2.2, shall execute and deliver temporary Receipts which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise substantially of the tenor of the definitive Receipts in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the persons executing such Receipts may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Receipts. If temporary Receipts are issued, the Company and the Depositary will cause definitive Receipts to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Receipts, the temporary Receipts shall be exchangeable for definitive Receipts upon surrender of the temporary Receipts at the Depositary’s Office or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine, without charge to the holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Receipts, the Depositary shall execute and deliver in exchange therefor definitive Receipts representing the same number of Depositary Shares as represented by the surrendered temporary Receipt or Receipts. Such exchange shall be made at the Company’s expense and without any charge to the holder therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Receipts shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement, and with respect to the Stock, as definitive Receipts.

 

Receipts shall be executed by the Depositary by the manual and/or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless it shall

 

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have been executed in accordance with the foregoing sentence. The Depositary shall record on its books each Receipt so signed and delivered as hereinafter provided.

 

Receipts shall be in denominations of any number of whole Depositary Shares. The Company shall deliver to the Depositary from time to time such quantities of Receipts as the Depositary may request to enable the Depositary to perform its obligations under this Deposit Agreement.

 

Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Depositary or required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon which the Stock, the Depositary Shares or the Receipts may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts are subject.

 

Title to Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt, which is properly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument; provided, however, that until transfer of a Receipt shall be registered on the books of the Depositary as provided in Section 2.3, the Depositary may, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, treat the record holder thereof at such time as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distributions of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes.

 

SECTION 2.2 Deposit of Stock; Execution and Delivery of Receipts in Respect Thereof . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Company or, subject to Section 2.4, any holder of Stock may from time to time deposit shares of Stock under this Deposit Agreement by delivery to the Depositary of a certificate or certificates for the Stock to be deposited, properly endorsed or accompanied, if required by the Depositary, by a duly executed instrument of transfer or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Depositary, together with all such certifications as may be required by the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, and together with a written order of the Company or such holder, as the case may be, directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of Depositary Shares representing such deposited Stock.

 

Deposited Stock shall be held by the Depositary at the Depositary’s Office or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine.

 

Upon receipt by the Depositary of a certificate or certificates for Stock deposited in accordance with the provisions of this Section, together with the other documents required as above specified, and upon recordation of the Stock on the books of the Company in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall execute and deliver, to or upon the order of the person or persons named in the written order delivered to the Depositary referred to in the first paragraph of this Section, a Receipt or Receipts for the whole number of Depositary Shares representing, in the aggregate,

 

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the Stock so deposited and registered in such name or names as may be requested by such person or persons. The Depositary shall execute and deliver such Receipt or Receipts at the Depositary’s Office or such other offices, if any, as the Depositary may designate. Delivery at other offices shall be at the risk and expense of the person requesting such delivery.

 

SECTION 2.3 Registration of Transfer of Receipts . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall register on its books from time to time transfers of Receipts upon any surrender thereof by the holder in person or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer. Thereupon, the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of Depositary Shares as those evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered and deliver such new Receipt or Receipts to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto.

 

SECTION 2.4 Split-ups and Combinations of Receipts; Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Stock . Upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts at the Depositary’s Office or at such other offices as it may designate for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts in the authorized denomination or denominations requested, evidencing the aggregate number of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered; provided, however, that the Depositary shall not issue any Receipt evidencing a fractional Depositary Share.

 

Any holder of a Receipt or Receipts representing any number of whole shares of Stock may (unless the related Depositary Shares have previously been called for redemption) withdraw the Stock and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby by surrendering such Receipt or Receipts at the Depositary’s Office or at such other offices as the Depositary may designate for such withdrawals and paying any unpaid amount due the Depositary. Thereafter, without unreasonable delay, the Depositary shall deliver to such holder or to the person or persons designated by such holder as hereinafter provided, the number of whole shares of Stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by the Receipt or Receipts so surrendered for withdrawal, but holders of such whole shares of Stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such Stock hereunder or to receive Depositary Shares therefor. If a Receipt delivered by the holder to the Depositary in connection with such withdrawal shall evidence a number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of Depositary Shares representing the number of whole shares of Stock to be so withdrawn, the Depositary shall at the same time, in addition to such number of whole shares of Stock and such money and other property, if any, to be so withdrawn, deliver to such holder, or upon his order, a new Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares, provided , however , that the Depositary shall not issue any Receipt evidencing a fractional Depositary Share. Delivery of the Stock and money and other property being withdrawn may be made by the delivery of such certificates, documents of title and other instruments as the Depositary may deem appropriate which, if required by the Depositary, shall be properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer.

 

If the Stock and the money and other property being withdrawn are to be delivered to a person or persons other than the record holder of the Receipt or Receipts being

 

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surrendered for withdrawal of Stock, such holders shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order so directing the Depositary and the Depositary may require that the Receipt or Receipts surrendered by such holder for withdrawal of such shares of Stock be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer in blank.

 

Delivery of the Stock and the money and other property, if any, represented by Receipts surrendered for withdrawal shall be made by the Depositary at the Depositary’s Office, except that, at the request, risk and expense of the holder surrendering such Receipt or Receipts and for the account of the holder thereof, such delivery may be made at such other place as may be designated by such holder.

 

SECTION 2.5 Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, Surrender and Exchange of Receipts . As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, surrender or exchange of any Receipt, the Depositary, any of the Depositary’s Agents or the Company may require payment to it of a sum sufficient for the payment (or, in the event that the Depositary or the Company shall have made such payment, the reimbursement to it) of any charges or expenses payable by the holder of a Receipt pursuant to Sections 3.2 and 5.7, may require the production of evidence satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature, and may also require compliance with such regulations, if any, as the Depositary or the Company may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.

 

The deposit of Stock may be refused, the delivery of Receipts against Stock may be suspended, the registration of transfer of Receipts may be refused and the registration of transfer, surrender or exchange of outstanding Receipts may be suspended (i) during any period when the register of stockholders of the Company is closed, or (ii) if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary, any of the Depositary’s Agents or the Company at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement.

 

SECTION 2.6 Lost Receipts, etc . In case any receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary in its reasonable discretion may execute and deliver a Receipt of like form and tenor in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, upon (i) the filing by the holder thereof with the Depositary of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary of such destruction or loss or theft of such Receipt, of the authenticity thereof and of his or her ownership thereof, (ii) the furnishing of the Depositary with indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it and the Company and (iii) the payment of any reasonable expense (including reasonable fees, charges and expenses of the Depositary) in connection with such execution and delivery.

 

SECTION 2.7 Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts . All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary or any Depositary’s Agent shall be cancelled by the Depositary. Except as prohibited by applicable law or regulation, the Company is authorized to destroy all Receipts so cancelled.

 

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SECTION 2.8 Redemption of Stock . Whenever the Company shall be permitted and shall elect to redeem shares of Stock in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate, it shall (unless otherwise agreed to in writing with the Depositary) give or cause to be given to the Depositary not less than 60 days’ notice of the date of such proposed redemption or exchange of Stock and of the number of such shares held by the Depositary to be so redeemed and the applicable redemption price, as set forth in the Certificate, which notice shall be accompanied by a certificate from the Company stating that such redemption of Stock is in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate. Notice of redemption of Stock will also be given by the Company by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the County of Los Angeles and the City of New York, such publication to be made once a week for two successive weeks commencing not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, and the Depositary will publish a notice of redemption of the Depositary Shares containing the same type of information and in the same manner as the Company’s notice of redemption. On the date of such redemption, provided that the Company shall then have paid or caused to be paid in full to the Depositary the redemption price of the Stock to be redeemed, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption, in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate, the Depositary shall redeem the number of Depositary Shares representing such Stock. The Depositary shall mail notice of the Company’s redemption of Stock and the proposed simultaneous redemption of the number of Depositary Shares representing the Stock to be redeemed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, not less than 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of such Stock and Depositary Shares (the “Redemption Date”) to the record holders of the Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares to be so redeemed, at the address of such holders as they appear on the records of the Depositary; but neither failure to mail any such notice of redemption of Depositary Shares to one or more such holders nor any defect in any notice of redemption of Depositary Shares to one or more such holders shall affect the sufficiency of the proceedings for redemption as to the other holders. The Company will provide the Depositary with the information necessary for the Depositary to prepare such notice and each such notice shall state: (i) the Redemption Date; (ii) the number of Depositary Shares to be redeemed and, if less than all the Depositary Shares held by any such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such Depositary Shares held by such holder to be so redeemed; (iii) the redemption price per Depositary Share; (iv) the place or places where Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; and (v) that dividends in respect of the Stock represented by the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such Redemption Date. In case less than all the outstanding Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be so redeemed shall be determined pro rata or by lot in a manner determined by the Board of Directors.

 

Notice having been mailed by the Depositary as aforesaid, from and after the Redemption Date (unless the Company shall have failed to provide the funds necessary to redeem the Stock evidenced by the Depositary Shares called for redemption) (i) dividends on the shares of Stock so called for redemption shall cease to accrue from and after such date, (ii) the Depositary Shares being redeemed from such proceeds shall be deemed no longer to be outstanding, (iii) all rights of the holders of Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares (except the right to receive the redemption price) shall, to the extent of such Depositary Shares, cease and terminate, and (iv) upon surrender in accordance with such redemption notice of the Receipts evidencing any such Depositary Shares called for redemption (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Depositary or applicable law shall so require), such Depositary

 

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Shares shall be redeemed by CSS at a redemption price per Depositary Share equal to the same fraction of the redemption price per share paid with respect to the shares of Stock as the fraction each Depositary Share represents of a share of Stock plus the same fraction of all money and other property, if any, represented by such Depositary Shares, including all amounts paid by the Company in respect of dividends which on the Redemption Date have accumulated on the shares of Stock to be so redeemed and have not theretofore been paid. Any funds deposited by the Company with CSS for any Depositary Shares that the holders thereof fail to redeem will be returned to the Company after a period of five years from the date such funds are so deposited.

 

If fewer than all of the Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt are called for redemption, the Depositary will deliver to the holder of such Receipt upon its surrender to the Depositary, together with the redemption payment, a new Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares evidenced by such prior Receipt and not called for redemption, provided , however , that the Depositary shall not issue any Receipt evidencing a fractional Depositary Share.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Certain Obligations of

Holders of Receipts and the Company

 

SECTION 3.1 Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any holder of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file such proof of residence, or other matters or other information, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties as the Depositary or the Company may reasonably deem necessary or proper or otherwise reasonably request. The Depositary or the Company may withhold the delivery, or delay the registration of transfer, redemption or exchange, of any Receipt or the withdrawal or conversion of the Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by any Receipt or the distribution of any dividend or other distribution or the sale of any rights or of the proceeds thereof until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties are made .

 

SECTION 3.2 Payment of Taxes or Other Governmental Charges . Holders of Receipts shall be obligated to make payments to the Depositary of certain charges and expenses, as provided in Section 5.7. Registration of transfer of any Receipt or any withdrawal of Stock and all money or other property, if any, represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt may be refused until any such payment due is made, and any dividends, interest payments or other distributions may be withheld or any part of or all the Stock or other property represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt and not theretofore sold may be sold for the account of the holder thereof (after attempting by reasonable means to notify such holder prior to such sale), and such dividends, interest payments or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale may be applied to any payment of such charges or expenses, the holder of such Receipt remaining liable for any deficiency.

 

SECTION 3.3 Warranty as to Stock . The Company hereby represents and warrants that the Stock, when issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Such representation and warranty shall survive the deposit of the Stock and the issuance of Receipts.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

The Deposited Securities; Notices

 

SECTION 4.1 Cash Distributions . Whenever CSS shall receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution on Stock, CSS shall, subject to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, distribute to record holders of Receipts on the record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.4 such amounts of such dividend or distribution as are, as nearly as practicable, in proportion to the respective numbers of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts held by such holders; provided, however, that in case the Company or CSS shall be required to withhold and shall withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of the Stock an amount on account of taxes or as otherwise required by law, regulation or court process, the amount made available for distribution or distributed in respect of Depositary Shares shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the calculation of any such cash dividend or other cash distribution to be paid to any record holder on the aggregate number of Depositary Receipts held by such holder results in an amount which is a fraction of a cent, the amount CSS shall distribute to such record holder shall be rounded to the next highest whole cent if such fraction of a cent is equal to or greater than $.005, otherwise such fractional interest shall be disregarded; and upon request of CSS, the Company shall pay the additional amount to CSS for distribution.

 

SECTION 4.2 Distributions Other than Cash, Rights, Preferences or Privileges. Whenever the Depositary shall receive any distribution other than cash, rights, preferences or privileges upon Stock, the Depositary shall, subject to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, distribute to record holders of Receipts on the record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.4 such amounts of the securities or property received by it as are, as nearly as practicable, in proportion to the respective numbers of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts held by such holders, in any manner that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution. If in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among such record holders, or if for any other reason (including any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may, with the approval of the Company, adopt such method as it deems equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including the sale (at public or private sale) of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem equitable and appropriate. The net proceeds of any such sale shall, subject to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, be distributed or made available for distribution, as the case may be, by the Depositary to record holders of Receipts as provided by Section 4.1 in the case of a distribution received in cash.

 

SECTION 4.3 Subscription Rights, Preferences or Privileges . If the Company shall at any time offer or cause to be offered to the persons in whose names Stock is recorded on the books of the Company any rights, preferences or privileges to subscribe for or to purchase any securities or any rights, preferences or privileges of any other nature, such rights, preferences or privileges shall in each such instance be made available by the Depositary to the record holders of Receipts in such manner as the Depositary may determine, either by the issue to such record holders of warrants representing such rights, preferences or privileges or by such other method as may be approved by the Depositary in its discretion with the approval of the Company; provided , however , that (i) if at the time of issue or offer of any such rights,

 

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preferences or privileges the Depositary determines that it is not lawful or (after consultation with the Company) not feasible to make such rights, preferences or privileges available to holders of Receipts by the issue of warrants or otherwise, or (ii) if and to the extent so instructed by holders of Receipts who do not desire to execute such rights, preferences or privileges, then the Depositary, in its discretion (with approval of the Company, in any case where the Depositary has determined that it is not feasible to make such rights, preferences or privileges available), may, if applicable laws or the terms of such rights, preferences or privileges permit such transfer, sell such rights, preferences or privileges at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper. The net proceeds of any such sale shall, subject to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, be distributed by the Depositary to the record holders of Receipts entitled thereto as provided by Section 4.1 in the case of a distribution received in cash.

 

If registration under the Securities Act of the securities to which any rights, preferences or privileges relate is required in order for holders of Receipts to be offered or sold the securities to which such rights, preferences or privileges relate, the Company will file promptly a registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act with respect to such rights, preferences or privileges and securities and use its best efforts and take all steps available to it to cause such registration statement to become effective sufficiently in advance of the expiration of such rights, preferences or privileges to enable such holders to exercise such rights, preferences or privileges. In no event shall the Depositary make available to the holders of Receipts any right, preference or privilege to subscribe for or to purchase any securities unless and until it has received written notice from the Company that such registration statement shall have become effective, or that the offering and sale of such securities to such holders are exempt from registration under the provisions of the Securities Act and the Company shall have provided to the Depositary an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary to such effect.

 

If any other action under the laws of any jurisdiction or any governmental or administrative authorization, consent or permit is required in order for such rights, preferences or privileges to be made available to holders of Receipts, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to take such action or obtain such authorization, consent or permit sufficiently in advance of the expiration of such rights, preferences or privileges to enable such holders to exercise such rights, preferences or privileges.

 

SECTION 4.4 Notice of Dividends, etc.; Fixing Record Date for Holders of Receipts . Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or if rights, preferences or privileges shall at any time be offered, with respect to Stock, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting at which holders of Stock are entitled to vote or of which holders of Stock are entitled to notice, or whenever the Depositary and the Company shall decide it is appropriate, the Depositary shall in each such instance fix a record date (which shall be the same date as the record date fixed by the Company with respect to or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the Stock) for the determination of the holders of Receipts who shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof, or to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or who shall be entitled to notice of such meeting or for any other appropriate reasons.

 

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SECTION 4.5 Voting Rights . Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Stock are entitled to vote, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the record holders of Receipts a notice which shall contain (i) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting and (ii) a statement that the holders may, subject to any applicable restrictions, instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Stock represented by their respective Depositary Shares (including an express indication that instructions may be given to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company) and a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given. Upon the written request of the holders of Receipts on the relevant record date, the Depositary shall use its best efforts to vote or cause to be voted, in accordance with the instructions set forth in such requests, the maximum number of whole shares of Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by all Receipts as to which any particular voting instructions are received. The Company hereby agrees to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the Depositary in order to enable the Depositary to