DIGEST OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTS 1866.—No. II. MAORI FUNDS, INVESTMENT ACT.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXI, Issue 2600, 17 November 1865, Page 4

DIGEST OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTS 1866.— N0. 11. MAORI FUNDS, INVESTMENT ACT.

Mr. J. E. FitzGeraxd introduced' thi«T Act in the House of Kepresentatives, and ii was assented to T)y, ; his Excellency the Governor on behalf of her Jfajesty on the 27tk October. Tlie object to be gained by ita # operation ,is to provide for the 1 investment and beneficial application 1 of money* ! becoming payable by the Crown to person*' of the Maori race, under "the' New Zealand Settlements* Act, IS63,'' or any other law, for the timt being in force, in cases where such persons are infants or under any legal disability. In the interpretation clause the word " Maori " » interpreted to mean aboriginal native 3 of New Zealand, including half-castes and' their descendants by hativcs. Any money which may be payable by the Crown to Maoris by way of compensation under any Act of tho General Assembly," or arising in any other manner, will be paid under order of fcho Governor in Council to trustees, in the event of such Maoris being infants, lunatics, .orisufferiug under other legal disability. The trustees are empowered to pay from tliV funds placed in their , hauds all cosfcsand expenses iucuri ed in appearing before any Court? for the • purpose of obtaining suoh compensation — f«r other purposes on cr-rtifipata of the Judge of the Court, that such expenses have been necessary ; to pay portion 'of' the money to a widow, and an annuity for her maintenance j to distribute pait of money to tribe; to' invest the money in their own names in Government securities, mortgage?, &c.j to sell or purchase lands, 'with the approval of the Governor ; to hold property in trust for iufunts ; to apply money to the maintenance and education oC infant? ; to apply money in placing an infant, if a male, in any business or profession, and if a female, to settle the money on her and her children, or pay the tame over to'her for absolute use on marriage. The trust funds are to be divided— shareand share alike— when the children' all come of age. The trustees may also execute deeds to carry into effect the object? of their trust ; to reimburse themselves expenses out of the trust fund,' and remunerate themselves at the rate of five per cent, on the m« # come j also to do anything else which may be'oonsidered advantageous to the trust estate; The , receipts of two or more of the trustees will be a'sufficient discharge to the Colouial Treasurer or other person paying money to them* under an; Order in' Council. New trustees can be apgointieaViu case of death or removal, by the surviving or continuing trustee or trustee*, or the administrators of 'the last surviving and continuing trustee,', and by writing from the last retiring trustee. <. Erery Snwteb ■will be liable only for fuch money«.as J he may actually have received, and not be answerable for loss by ' reason of the trust moneys being 'deposited in the ' hauds of , any banker or agent; from defieienoy ,of ( •ecurity, ,or lost in the execution of the trust, unless the same,may happen through his own 'wilful nagleot or default, upon upplioation. The Supreme' Court may, in a summary way, make au order for the di» • ' tribution or investment of trust funds, or payment 1 of the interest and proceeds thereof. ' . ' '

THIC BAILWAY pF^BNOEa ACT." This Act is intended to make further provisibnfor the prevention of accidents an 4 .the punishment of offences on railways. Any person found guilty of wilfully Iplacing upon or acroai any .railway any wood, stone, or other matter, displacing any rail or sleeper, removing or hiding any signal or light upon the railway, with intent to injure or. upset any tender, carriage, or endanger the safety of any traveller,) will be. liable,, at f „ Court, to be senteS6ed to" any term not' exceeding four years' penal servitude. Also, any person throwing anything at any engine 'or "carriage, with intent to injure or endanger the safety ,of any traveller or engine, will be deemed guilty of felony, and liable to he sentenced to penal . servitude for any term not exceeding four 'years.' For wilfully and maliciously, damaging any part ■of the railway works,' .the, offender will bo liable to undergo three yeats' penal servitude; and. any, person; iwoj ■ may by any unlawful aofc or wilful omission endanger the safety.of any' traveller,^ aid and as»ist ) therein," will be liable to suffer penal servitude' for any term not exceeding two years. '• Pertona ctotnioting 1 thV -!1 free coune of 'the railway by thTo*ins^ rubbish,'' or" driving on the railway or approaches thereto, any horse, ass, or cattle,^ WiH,^ f ori J oonviotion V Def6re' l itwV (justices of tho peace, forfeit" any sum not exceeding , £60,1 fftad y , in "'default' >*of ! payment !be liable to .be-< 'impruoned > for

any term not; exceeding six months. The punishment for assaulting and obstructing servants of the railway company, or for wilfully'trespassing upon the works or premises, shall be the infliction of a penalty not exceeding £5. In tho event of any servant qf the company being drunk, or committing any offence against; any of the regulations or bye-laws of the railway, whioh may imperil the safety of any traveller or train, he shall he liable to imprisonment for n term not exceeding six mouths, or forfeit a sum of £50. Ihe Interpretation Clause provides that the word "railway" shall' include all railways constructed under the powers of any Act of the General, Assembly, and intended for tho conveyance' of 'passengers in ' or ' upon carriages drawn or impollert by the power of steam, or by any other mechanical power ; provided also that the word railway shall include railways which are or may be worked wholly or in part by horsepower, and by gravity, or by either of them. And the word "company" shall extend to and include the proprietors for the time being of any such railway, whether a body' corporate or individuals, and their lessees, executors, administrators, and nssigus, unless the subject or coutext be repugnant to such construction.