A.—No. 1

16

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW

No. 42. The Auckland and Onehunrja Hostelries Act. —Doubts having arisen as to the legal effect of certain Crown Grants of land in the neighbourhood of Auckland and Onehunga, in trust for and as an endowment for Native Hostelries, this Act was passed to vest in the Governor the pieces of land comprised in those grants as reserves for those purposes. No. 43. The Native Lands Act, repeals " The Native Lands Act, ISG6," re-enacting its principal provisions, extending the power of the Governor to restrain the dealings of Natives with certain of their lands, except in cases of leases at rack rents ; and contains provisions the result of experience for more effectually guarding the interests of aboriginal Natives and of those claiming under them. No. 44. The Confiscated Lands Act. —The action of the Native Lands Courts having been found in some cases insufficient to meet the requirements of the occasion, this Act enables the Governor to supplement their decisions by malting grants of land in cases where none, or too little, may have been awarded. It also enables the Governor to reserve lands for friendly Natives out of those confiscated, and to award land to deserving persons of the Native race who have aided in the preservation of peace and order; and also to persons who have been in rebellion, but have since submitted to the Royal authority; to refer differences as to the division of lands so granted to the Native Lands Court, and to secure future good behaviour by imposing conditions on the grants of land under this Act; to reserve, out of confiscated lands, lands for educational purposes ; to divest confiscated lands of their peculiar position, and bring them under the ordinary regulations respecting Waste Lands of the Crown in the Province in which they are situated ; and to replace, as lands taken under the several New Zealand Settlements Acts, certain lands granted to the Superintendent of Auckland upon an arrangement since departed from. No. 45. The East Coast Land Titles Investigation Act, amends the description of the boundaries of the district, subject to the operation of "The East Coast Land Titles Investigation Act, 1866," and more accurately describes the classes of Natives excluded by the terms " such Natives or other persons as shall not have been engaged in the Rebellion." No. 46. The Tauranqa District Lands Act, 1867, gives effect to an Order in Council of the 18th May, 1865," declaring a district under "The New Zealand Settlements Act, 1863," and to certain arrangements entered into pursuant to such Order, for granting lands to persons of the tribe Ngaiterangi, the effect and validity of which had been questioned. No. 47. The Maori Representation Act, adds to the number of Members of the House of Representatives, by providing for four Maoris to be chosen by aboriginal Native inhabitants. It has been considered that a part in the legislation of the Colony would tend to create an interest in its Government, and aid in bringing into closer relations to each other the aboriginal Natives and inhabitants of European descent. It authorizes Provincial Councils to provide that one or more of their members shall be elected by Maoris. Its duration is limited to five years. No. 48. The Westland Representation Act, extends the number of members of the House of Representatives (exclusive of the four Maori members, for whose election provision is made by an Act of this session) from seventy, at which it was fixed by "The Representation Act, 1865," to seventy-two, by subdividing and redistributing membership in respect of the electoral districts of "Waimea and Westland, forming instead the districts of Waimea, Westland North, Westland South, and Westland Boroughs. This Act w ras called for by the extending population and importance of the district of Westland. No. 49. The Public Offenders Disqualification Act, defines more completely the classes of persons to be disqualified for holding office as Superintendents of Provinces, Members of House of Representatives, or Mayors of Municipalities ; and provides more effectually for proceedings being taken against public defaulters. No. 50. The Supplementary Electoral Rolls Revision Act. —The appointment of a person to be revising officer for certain electoral districts having been omitted in the month of March last, this Act was passed to remedy tho omission and prevent the new claimants from being deprived of their rights to vote. No. 51. The Crown Lands Nelson Leasing Act, was passed to enable the grant of leases of Crown Lands (unsuitable for agricultural purposes) for pastoral occupation for fourteen years. No. 52. The Canterbury Waste Lands Act, removes doubts as to the validity of certain pre-emptive rights granted by the Canterbury Waste Lands Board, more clearly defines their powers respecting pre-emptive rights, limits the use of the land included in pre-emptive right, provides for the continuance of the improvements effected on runs, and a penalty for injury to fences thereon. No. 53. The Land Claims Arbitration Act, was passed to enable a reference to arbitration of certain claims to land and damages made by Mr. James Busby in respect of his purchases of land from Native Chiefs of the North Island of New Zealand in 1839, and the issue of Crown Grants and Land Scrip to satisfy any award which may be made. No. 54. The New I'll/mouth Exchanges Commission Amendment Act Amendment Act, supplies an omission in a clause of " The New Plymouth Exchanges Commision Act Amendment Act, 1866," and enables the Commissioners to examine witnesses upon oath. No. 55. The Taranahi Naval and Military Settlers Act, enables the grant of land to naval and military settlers claiming under land orders issued after the passing of " Tho Taranaki Naval and Military Settlers Act, 1865," and before the 9th February, 1867, and enables the Commissioner of Crown Lands, when authorized by resolution of the Provincial Council, to issue land orders to naval and military settlers in some cases. No. 56. The Public Buildings Reserves Act, enables Superintendents to surrender to the Crown lands in Provinces granted to them under " The Public Reserves Act, 1864," which have been, or shall be, ajspropriated to purposes connected with the administration of the Government of New Zealand, and provides, with the assent of the Superintendent and Provincial Council of any Province, for the appropriation by the Governor of any ungranted public reserves to General Government purposes.