A.—No. 1

54

DESPATCHES PROM THE GOVERNOR OP NEW

Superintendents of Provinces; vests in the Governor the power to define limits of ports, fix and levy port charges, appoint harbour masters, define their duties, appoint pilots, exempt from pilotage by Order in Council, to define pilot charges for delay on board, establishes fees for certificate of exemtion and renewal thereof, and authorizes Superintendents to levy port charges and license watermen. No. 19. The Howard Pension Act, 1865, raised the pension to William Lott Howard, a retired officer of the Civil Service. No. 20. The Legislative Council Quorum Act, 1865, enables the Legislative Council from time to time to determine the number of its quorum, and repeals so much of the 29th Section of the Constitution Act as limits the number. No. 21. The Injuries by Dogs Act, 1865, provides further remedies to persons injured by dogs. No. 22. The Railway Offences Act, 1865, creates certain felonies and imposes certain penalties for offences tending to the injury of persons travelling upon railway or railway property, and otherwise connected with railways. No. 23. The Outlying Districts Police Act, 1865, enables the Governor by Proclamation to call upon the Chiefs and other inhabitants of outlying districts to aid in the arrest of criminals under certain circumstances. In cases of default districts may be proclaimed in which the Governor may take lands which shall become demesne lands of the Crown, and may be sold saving the rights of innocent persons. Directs the application of moneys arising from sales in compensation to injured persons, to defraying-expenses of prosecuting the crimiuals, salaries of magistrates and police, and of hospitals, within the district. Enables Natives, with the Governor, to dedicate lands for payment of salaries of magistrates and police, and erecting buildings for the police, and for the administration of justice and for hospitals, and contains provisions relative to the appointment of trustees of such lands, and other powers. No. 21. The Religions Charitable and Educational Trusts Act Amendment Act, 1865, removes certain doubts respecting the legal status of the Diocesan Synod of the branch of the United Church of England and Ireland in New Zealand; brings them within the meaning of " The Eeligious Charitable and Educational Trusts Act, 1856," and gives to the trustees of land in trust for any Diocesan Synod, certain powers of sale, exchange, investment and leasing, makes their receipts effectual discharges, and each trustee liable only for his own receipts. No. 25. The Maori Funds Investment Act, 1865, provides for the investment and application of moneys payable by the Crown to Maoris under legal disability, and authorizes the Governor by Order in Council to appoint trustees of moneys so payable. No. 26. The Mining Companies Limited Liability Act, 1865, extends the principle of limited liability to the operations of Companies formed for mining purposes. No. 27. The Private Estates Bills Act, 1865, was passed to enable the Legislative Council to refer Private Estate Bills to a Judge of the Supreme Court for certificate of their reasonableness. No. 28. An Act to amend the laws relating to Building and Land Societies, enables advances to be made on security of shares held by members, varies the powers of Committees, and secures the revision of Eules of these Societies. No. 29. The Mayne Pension Act, 1865, explains itself. No. 30. The Prisoners Removal Act, 1865, facilitates the removal of prisoners confined in any gaol or hulk within the Colony to any other gaol or hulk in New Zealand. No. 31. The Deeds Registration Amendment Act, 1865, contains provisions for registering Crown grants before delivery, powers of attorney, authorizing dealings with land, and certified copies of deeds already registered. No. 32. The New Plymouth Exchanges Commission Act, 1865, authorizes the Governor to appoint Commissioners, and otherwise provides for carrying into effect certain exchanges of land which had been ineffectually dealt with under certain Ordinances of the Superintendent and Provincial Council of Taranaki. No. 33. The Hawke's Bay Military and Colonial Defence Corps Settlement Act, 1865, was passed to enable the Superintendent of the Province affected by it to locate Military Settlers in that Province. No. 34. The New Provinces Act, 1865, prohibits the formation of any new Province in the Colony, unless by special Act of the Legislature. No. 35. The Practitioners Amendment Act, 1865, extends the classes of persons who may be admitted to practise as Barrister or Solicitor of the Supreme Court. No. 36. The Provincial Constabulary Act, 1865, extends to Superintendents, within their Provinces, the power of embodying a Police Force. No. 37. The Electric Telegraph Act, 1865, authorizes the Governor to establish series of communication by electric telegraph throughout the Colony, across Cook's Straits and Foveaux Straits. Gives the powers requisite for the formation and management of such lines, and establishes certain penalties for offences connected therewith. No. 38. The Distillation Prohibition Ordinance Amendment Act, 1865, enables the Governor in Council to make regulations for licensing Distillers within tho Colony. No. 39. The Provisional Jury List Act, 1865, is intended to remove an inconvenience arising from the absence of Jury Lists between annual periods appointed for their preparation. No. 40. The Post Office Savings Bank Act, 1865, makes Post Offices available as Banks for small savings, and gives to depositors the direct security of the Colony for the amount of their claims. No. 41. The Gold Fields Act Amendment Act, 1865, contains provisions for improving and facilitating the administration of justice in the Gold Field districts. Extends facilities and further regulates the construction of mill-races, and gives to the Governor certain powers for the encouragement of