ZEALAND TO THE SCEBETARY OF STATE.

A.—No. 1.

15

under separate cover, copies of the eighty-one Acts passed during the Session for 1868 of the New Zealand Legislature, together with the customary synopsis. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. G. F. BOWEN.

Enclosure in No. 7. Synopsis of the Acts of 18G8. No. 1. The Mete Kingi Paetahi Election Act, 1868, was passed to enable Mete Kingi Paetahi, a Member elected by the Maori Western Electoral District (under the provisions of the Act of 1867, for representation of the Maori race), to take his seat in the House of Representatives, notwithstanding hi.s disqualification under the electoral law of the Colony, as the holder of an office of emolument under the Government. No. 2. The Imprest Supply Act, 1868, authorized an advance by way of imprest of the sum of £100,000, in anticipation of the annual Appropriation Act. No. 3. The Interest on Money Act, 1868. This Act was passed to remove doubts respecting the application in New Zealand of the usury laws of the United Kingdom in force before 1840, and declares that those laws have not, nor ever had, application in the Colony, notwithstanding the adoption of the laws of England applicable to the Colony in force on the 14th January, 1840, and the non-adoption of the Imperial Act 17 and 18 Viet., c. 90, abolishing the usury laws. No. 4. The Pawnbrokers Act, 1868, provides for licensing pawnbrokers, regulates the business of pawnbroking, and limits the rate of interest to be charged (following to some extent the Imperial Act 39 and 40 Greo. 111., c. 99). No. 5. The Treason-Felony Act, 1868, is an adaptation of the Imperial Act 11 and 12 Yict., c. 12. No. G. The Public Houses Act, IS6B, authorizes the compulsory closing of public houses, and regulates the sale of intoxicating liquors in proclaimed districts wherein Colonial troops are engaged in the suppression of Native rebellion ; and indemnifies officers of the Government in respect of action in the matter authorized to be taken before the Act was in operation. No. 7. The Bishop of New Zealand Trusts Act, IS6S, enables the Bishop of New Zealand to convey to trustees lands vested in him in trust for religious, educational, and charitable purposes. No. 8. The Bridges and Ferries Act, 1868, was passed to prevent evasion of tolls by persons crossing rivers within a specified distance of a public bridge or ferry. No. 9. The Trigonometrical Stations and Survey Marks Act, 1868, protects stations, marks, and objects used for purposes of official surveys, giving powers of entry on private lands for erection of such objects, and imposing penalties on persons injuring them or obstructing surveys. No. 10. The Bills of Sale Act, 1868, determines the places at which bills of sale of goods situate in places without the boundaries of any Province shall be filed, and extends the time limited for filing bills of sale. No. 11. The Mortgages of Stock Act, 1868, provides for registration of mortgages of stock, and the transfer of such mortgages, and protects purchasers for value against unregistered mortgages. No. 12. The Provincial Audit Act, 1808, amends the Act of 1866, controlling the issue of Provincial revenue, and regulating the audit of Provincial accounts. No. 13. The Westland Registration Amendment Act, 1868, re-adjusts the Electoral Divisions for representation of the County of Westland. No. 14. The Nelson and Cobden Railway Act, 1868, repeals the Acts of 1866 and 1867, relating to this railway; enables the Superintendent of Nelson, by his agent, to contract for the construction of the railway, giving to the contractor the necessary powers, authorizing the reservation of lands for the purposes of the railway, saving rights to take lands for roads and sites for public buildings. No. 15. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 2), 186S, authorizes the advance by way of imprest of a further sum of £30,000, in anticipation of the annual Appropriation Act. No. 16. The Lunatics- Act, 1868, consolidates and amends the law relating to Lunatics and Lunatic Asylums ; provides for the licensing and supervision of houses for the reception of lunatics ; the visitation, transfer, removal, and discharge of patients ; regulates proceedings under commissions de lunatico inquirendo, and the administration of property of lunatics, embodying much of the English law on this subject, particularly the provisions of 1 and 2 Viet., c. 14 ; 8 and 9 Viet., c. 100; 16 and 17 Viet., cc. 70 and 97 ;25 and 26 Viet., cc. 86 and 111; and provides for curative treatment of habitual drunkards and persons suffering from delirium tremens. No. 17. The purpose of The Printers and Newspapers Act, 1868, is to prevent the publication of books and papers by persons unknown. It provides for the registration of printing presses and of newspapers, and the recording of names and addresses of publishers. No. 18. The John Jones Land Claims Settlement Act, 1867, Amendment Act, 1868, extends the rights of the person named under an Act of the last Session to select land in settlement of a land claim, as regards the time of selection and the class of land in respect of which it may be exercised. No. 19. The Petty Sessions Act, 1868, repeals provisions of the Act of 1865 as to fees payable to Chairmen of Petty Sessions, and regulates the remuneration of clerks and bailiffs of Petty Sessions Courts. No. 20. The Offences against the Person Act Amendment Act, 1868, extends the term of imprisonment in cases of indecent assault, and authorizes the punishment of whipping to be inflicted in such cases. No. 21. The Canterbury Rivers Act, 1868, provides for making and maintaining protective works against the overflow of rivers in the Province of Canterbury, and for the taking of land and imposition of rates for purposes of the Act.