NEW BILLS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 241, 4 July 1908, Page 7

NEW BILLS.

THE HOLDINC OF INQUESTS. T.ho coroner's jury, as an institution dates from remoto antiquity, and tho changes that havo, takon place in tho course of centuries render its position, in the eyes of _ some authorities, an anomalous one in relation to our Vi'iating judicial system. Henco tho. Coronal's Amendment Bill of tho Minister of Justico (Hon. J. M'Gowan). This measure, if will allow a. coroner to hold an inquest vithout a jury, such a _ cliango being recommended as consistent with tho presontday exercise of extensive judicial powers by Magistrates and Justices of the Peace. It is proposed, : liowever, that a. coroner may summon a jury when ho thinks fit, or whqn tho Attorney-GVneral so directs. The obligation to "viow tlw body" is also to be done away with, witnesses' expenses may bo paid, and interested persons are to bo allowed to attend and oxainins :\vitnessos. ; . WELLINGTON HARBOUR RECLAMATION ■ BILL. . The Wellington.Harbour Board Reclamation and Empoworiii(.V Bill has been introduced by Mr. Wilford. It. confers upon tho Board tho powers required .for the Evans Bay reclamation scheme, tho compulsory purchaso of tho : Patent Slip, and tho raising of ono million pounds for thoso und other works. It in- ■ eludes a "bettermo.ut" clause, undor wlucli owners of certain lands adjacent to Evans Bay will bo required to pay to the Board a sum of money equal to tho incrocso in tho value of their lands caused by tho carrying out of ,tho rcolamatiovi works. Tho sums to bo so paid will be dote'vinmed by a Conpensation Court, and may paid by instalments. Mr. Wilford, who besides .boing iir chargo bf tho Bill, isf.olw.inna.tr of tho Wellington Harbour Board, told a Ktpdrter that it was of tho utmost importance to the City that the Bill should ho passed this session, especially the portion conferring extended borrowing powers. Ho stated that tho proposod expenditure: of tho Board up to tho end of 1909 ran into £300,-MO, and without the authority of Parliament being given this session tho Board would not* have sufficient' funds for tho undertakings de-evded upon during sonio timo past. I INCORPORATED SOCIETIES BILL. , Tlie Incorporated Socioties Bffl, of which the, Premier has chargo, consolidates and amends previous legislation, dealing with the incorporation , of societies _ established : for. othor purposes: than pecuniary gt\iu. It is stated that, in recent years .tho Unclassified Societies Registration Act, 1895, has'teen extensively made uso of by societies of much moro complex and important character than those for which.the Aot .seeriis to havft been primarily dosigned, and numerous deficiencies in the law havo consequently come to'light. LOCAL ELECTIONS BILL. Sir William Steward's Local Elections Act Amendment Bill is inorely dosigned to facilitate tho making of tho statutory declaration by 'deputy returning officers on appointment