Hawke's Bay Herald FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1880. STATUTES OF 1879.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5623, 27 February 1880, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1880. STATUTES OF 1879.

The Rating Act Amendment Act provides that whenever any local public body is empowered under the Act of 1870 to sell the property of defaulting ralepayers after twelve months' notice, it shall be lawful for such public body to give notice that the property will be let unless the rates due thereon are paid within six months, and afc the expiration of that term fche property may be let bi' public auction. The rents are to be applied towards the payment of the rates ' due on the property, and any balance that may remaiu must bo paid over to the Public Trustee, who is to pay it to such person as shall establish a claim thereto. The term of the lease of such property is to be fixed by the local body, but must not exceed fourteen years. Every such lease may be registered in the office of the Kegistrar of Deeds or of tlie District Land Registrar. Rates will be payable on such leased property in the same way as if the local body had not been a party to tho lease. The 19th section of the Rating Act of 1876—requiring that a person objecting to any entry in or omission from the valuation roll shaii give notice of his objection to the person interested—is repealed, and in liou thereof the clerk of the local body is required to send a copy of the objection to the person affected. The provision of the Act of 1876—requiring that the demand for rates due must be made in writing and served personally or by leaving the same

at the last known place of abode of tire > person liable — is al te?edj Md it is* made sufficient if the demand is sent through the posf. Any person giving a false answer to a valuer respecting the valuo of property which he is engaged in assessing will be liable to a penalty not exceeding £10. The Leases and Sales o£ Settled Estates Act Amendment Act empowers ihe Supreme Court to authorise tho insertion of purchasing clauses in leases of settled estates. Persons applying for such authority must set forth the terms of the intended covenant, and before granting it tho Court must be satisfied that the authority asked fbr is not inconsistent with a due regard for the interests of the parties entitled uuder the settlement. In making orders for vesting any powers of leasing in auy trustees no condition shall bo made that the leases shall he settled | by the Court or made conformable with a [ model lease deposited in the Judge's Chambers, unless the parties applying for the order may require it, or it sliall appear to the Court that there ts &\\y special reason rendering ihe insertion of such a condition necessary ov expedient-. In cases Where the concurrence or consent of parties rs required before tho Court making an order, notice may be served upon such parties, and in the event of their not signifying assent . or dissent within a specified time they shall be considered to have submitted their rights to be dealt with by the Court, and the order ' applied for may be made; the Court, however, having due regard to the interests of the persons not appearing as well as of thoso assenting Or dissenting; The concurrence or "consent tff & married wdniaii nifty be signified by A\i acknowledgment made by her before a Commissioner authorised to take such a ckuowlcdgmcnts. The Confiscated Lands Inquiry and Maori Prisoners' Trials Aot has a loilg preamble selling forth the reasons rendering the passing ot tile Act expedient. These arc to the effect that certain lands on tho West Coast of the North Island have been taken from the natives ; that it has been alleged that promises havo been made by or on behalf o£ the Government in relation to such, lands, and that such promises have not been fulfilled • that tho natives concerned in those lands havo been and arc iv a state of discontent, and disturbances of the public peace aud other offences have lately been committed by certain of such natives ; that the discontent may be removed by inquiry beiug made into the alleged promises and grievances, and that it is expedient that a Commission be appoiuted for that purpose ; that a number of natives have been committed for trial in respect of the offences mentioned, and that it is expedient for the peace and safety of the colony that the ordinary course of law should be suspended) and the trials of those natives should take place uuder special legislation. The Act empowers the Governor to appoint three Commissioners lo inquire into all promises and engagements made in respect to lauds between the White Cliffs and the Waitotara river. The Commissioners are to be entitled to such reasonable remuneration as the Governor may prescribe. All expenses incidental to the Commission aro to be paid out of moneys appropriated for that purpose by ,the General Assembly. The Governor in Council is empowered to fix the date of tho trial of the Maori prisoners, and to alter the place where they aro to bo tried. The Act is only to remain in force until the commencement of the next session of Parliament. The Sites for Working-men's Clubs Act authorises the Governor to set apart Crown lands as sites for such clubs, but only in cities, towns, or places where they are established. Ths sites may be used for no other purpose. The laud so set apart mny be granted to trustees, but the grant must be without power to sell, lease, mortgage, or make any charge upon it. If any land so granted shall cease to be used for six months as a site for a workingrmen's club it shall revert to the Crown freo from all trusts and provisions. The Electric Telegraph Act Amendment Act was passed to enable Dr Lemon to assume the title of " Superintendent." It has but one clause besides the short title, and that clause merely enacts that whereover in tho Act of 1875 the expression " General Manager " appears, the expression " Superintendent " shall be read in the stead thereof.