THE NEW CONSOLIDATING MEASURE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, 2 October 1907, Page 2

THE NEW CONSOLIDATING MEASURE.

WE continue from yesterday the review of the Consolidated Animafs Protection Bill introduced in Parliament, and now under consideration. Among the "miscellaneous provisions" there are included various enactments relating to the prohibition of the importation of noxious animals, and to the consent of the Government being obtained to new importations, now codified. The snake and other noxious reptiles, and the fox continue prohibited, and it is hoped that in the process of amendments the stoat and the weasel will be added to the prohibitd list. Throughout these consolidating clauses were the principal Act spoke only of "game" in the new bill the words "or native game" are added. The powers of Justices of the Peace, constables, and rangers defined in the principal Act and its various amendments are continued, and somewhat more clearly defined. It is provided that any ranger appointed under the repealed Acts and holding office at the time the new bill becomes law, shall continue in office for two months thereafter, but no longer. The powers of rangers are widened. A duly appointed ranger is to have all the powers of a constable as provided in section 2of the 1884 Act. He may also seize all game or native game illegally taken, or found illegally in the possession of a person, or which he reasonably believes to be so illegally taken or in possession. He may also seize all nets, guns, engines, instruments, and devices used or intended to bo p--ed contrary to law. Othsr powers conferred on rangers by the new bill are that a ranger may stop in transition "any parcel, package, case, bag, or luggage" in possession of the owner or earner or forwarding agent by land or sea, if there be reason to believe that a breach cf the Act has been committed [by the owner. In the presence of the owner or forwarding agent, the linger may open and search such luggi^e. or do other acts necessary to ensurercbmpliance with the law and detection of breaches thereof. The production of the proof of the appointment df such ranger under the hand of the Gov«rnor shall be deemed sufficient warrant, and those who resist will be liable to a fine not exceeding £10. * * * * The application and distribution of license fees and fines remain practically as in the original and amending Acts. That is to say, revenue thus obtained is first applied to the cost of administration by the Government if any, and the balance is handed over to registered Acclimatisation Societies. Of fines recovered a proportion not exceeding one half may be paid to persons instrumental in securing convictions. • • « • The clauses of the principal Act relating to Acclimatisation Societies a-re brief, somewhat vague, and largely permissive. The new bill deals more denitely with the status and functions of tho Societ;es, and also makes more businesslike provision for the issue and form of licenses, etc. A gcod deal more power than before is vested in "Orders in Council," and it is obvious ly proposed to administer the consoK- ' dated measure largely by "Gazette" regulations. Tho Orders in Council will govern the .forms of. licenses, the fees to bo charged, the mode of issue; the process and reasons for refiioal f lkenses; the definition of the duties cf ' rangers; the mode of registering; forming or dissolving Acclimatisation ?<*• <-iHi"s: the mode r,f k?epiiiff books -■/' T----/i-!i-:^ cf rnn-viito; cnmp.inies; Ov i-CMliti-nts nnd wvn for coursiu-.-hares: the proclamation of the dee 1 seasoii; the care of sanctuaries, and the carrying of firearms; the prohibi-

tion of the sale of venison or stagß' heads; the godwit season; the proclam- i ation against killing or taking game or native game in public forests or other reserves ; the regulation and restriction . of the number of game or native game to be taken or killed hy ahy <*rio person in a season, or part of a season; preventing the use of cylinders, decoys, or unsportsmanlike practices and excessive taking generally ; and for the forfeiture and disposal of game, native game, or other animals subject to thb provisions of the -Act tlial may have been unlawfully taken. •»* • ■ With regard to Acclimatisation Societies, the clause of the Act of 1880, section 34, is materially altered. It is still permissive for a Society to regint-er its rules or not as it choMef, ail" th« process is the same as in the original Act. But no new Society call be registered within aii area already assigned to an existing Society except on petition to the Governor . and notice given to euch existing Society. No amendments of registered rules shall have effect under the proposed new. law until they also have been properly registered. Thus, every Acclimatisati.on Society registered under the Bill thereupon becomes a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal. In its corporate name a Society may hold and dispose of real and personal property, sue and be sued, whether by a member or not. Every Society, before the 21st April in each year, must forward to the Dominion Treasurer a full statement of accounts to the 31st March preceding, accompanied by a duly audited balance-sheet. If default be made for three months the right to receive back its revenue from license fees j and other sources lapses, and the > Dominion Treasurer may paY the monies to softie other Society. The rest of the clauses relating to Acclimatisation Societies deal with the property in imported animals vested in the Societies, regulation of and consent, to importation, etc. 4 . * # Finally, although a number of amending Acts are repealed under the consolidating measure, all districts constituted under the repealed Acts, authorities, proclamations, notifications, licenses, etc., issued thereunder remain as if made and issued under the new law.