A.—No. la.

ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

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sation in certain cases. This Act was framed by the Members of a Commission appointed to investigate the position of the Civil Service in this Colony, and to suggest means for its organization and improvement. No. 60. The Debtors and Creditors Acts Amendment Act, 1866, repeals the provisions of previous Acts relating to Mercantile Assessors and " The Insolvent Estates Fund;" defines more clearly the estates to be deemed to have been brought under administration under the Act of 1862 ; makes further regulations for assignment of property of insolvents to the inspector and trustees, the remuneration to sequestrators and trustees, and discharge of a debtor from prison in certain cases. No. 61. The Naturalization Act, 1866, confers upon certain persons named in the schedules, within the Colony, the rights of natural-born subjects of Her Majesty. No. 62. The Otago Municipal Councils Empowering Act, 1865, Amendment Act, 1866, repeals a section of the Act of 1865 which provided that certain penalties, fees, and fines should be paid to the Municipal Corporations therein mentioned, and relieved them from their proportionate contribution to the expenses of the General Government of the Colony. No. 63. The Attorney-General's Act, 1866, provides that the commission of every Attorney-General thereafter appointed shall be permanent during good behaviour; that the Attorney-General shall not be a member of the Executive Council or of either House of the General Assembly ; and provides for payment of salary and other matters relating to the office. No. 64. The Superintendents Deputy Act, 1866, repeals " The Superintendents Deputy Act, 1856," varies the mode of appointing Deputy Superintendents, provides for such appointments in certain cases, and limits the powers of Deputy Superintendents to such as are created by the twelfth section of the Constitution Act. No. 65. The Affirmations in lieu of Oaths in Criminal Proceedings Act, 1866, is an adaptation to the Colony of the Act of the Imperial Parliament 24 and 25 Vict. cap. 66. No. 66. The Intestate Estates Act Amendment Act, 1866. —The division of the Colony for the purposes of " The Intestate Estates Act, 1865," into districts consisting of Provinces, being unsuited to the requirements of the Colony, this Act enables the Governor to vary the districts, increases the facilities of Curators in obtaining administration in certain cases, and provides that the percentage deducted by the Colonial Treasurer for moneys paid to the credit of the Intestate Estates Fund shall be carried to a separate account. No. 67. The Volunteer Act Amendment Act, 1866, repeals two sections of " The Volunteer Act, 1865," and varies the provisions for ascertaining the competency of persons to be officers of Volunteers, and renders Volunteers, hitherto exempted from serving on juries, liable to serve on Grand Juries and Coroners' juries. No. 68. The Eepresentation Act Amendment Act, 1866, eliminates Gold Field Townships from other Electoral Districts, varies the boundaries of certain Electoral Districts, and provides for the formation of new Electoral Bolls therein. No. 69. The Williams Compensation Act, 1866, authorizes compensation to one John Wynn Hughes Williams, on account of damages arising from non-fulfilment of a certain contract entered into by the Canterbury Association for sale to him of land in the Canterbury Settlement. No. 70. The Building and Land Societies Act, 1866, consolidates and amends the existing law as to Building and Land Societies. No. 71. The Licensing Ordinance Amendment Ordinance Amendment Act, 1866, transfers from the Governor in Council to the Colonial Secretary, the power of licensing houses for the sale of fermented and spirituous liquors, in the country or on the sea coast. No. 72. The Distillation Prohibition Ordinance Amendment Act, 1866, authorizes the Governor in Council to make regulations for licensing persons to carry on the business of distillers within the Colony; imposes a duty of Bs. per gallon upon spirits so distilled; extends the powers of search given by " The Distillation Prohibition Ordinance;" and makes provision for the punishment of offenders. No. 73. The Privileges Act, 1866, makes provision for exemption of members and certain officers of the General Assembly, on application for that purpose, from attendance on Civil Courts, either as parties or witnesses, during the Sessions of the Assembly. No. 74. The Lunatics' Act, 1866, enables the Courts to order any person found, upon arraignment, trial, or discharge for want of prosecution, to be insane, to be kept in custody till the Governor's pleasure be known; and makes provision for ascertaining the insanity, for removing insane prisoners to lunatic asylum and removal back to prison, or discharge of such prisoners on their return to sanity duly certified. No. 75. The Petty Sessions Act Amendment Act, 1866, alters the number of Justices required to form a quorum to elect Chairman of Petty Sessions from five to three. No. 76. The Standing Orders for Private Bills Act, 1866, enables certain Parliamentary Officers to annul existing Standing Orders for Private Bills, substituting others in lieu thereof. No. 77. The Law Practitioners Act, 1866, makes the tenure of office of Begistrar or Deputy Begistrar of Supreme Court equivalent to service under articles to a solicitor as a qualification for admission to practise; and provides against the admission, or continuance to practice, of any person who has been convicted of forgery or perjury. No. 78. The Auckland Eeserves Act Eepeal Act, 1866.—" The Auckland Beserves Act, 1863," was passed to carry into effect an arrangement for the sale of tho Government House and Grounds at Auckland. The present Act repeals it, and annuls all transactions under it. No. 79. The Supreme Court Act, 1860, Amendment Act, 1866, regulates procedure as to carrying out