DESPATCHES EROM THE GOVERNOR OE

A.—No. 1

34

3. I forward also "by this opportunity further copies of the New Zealand Hansard, to the end of the recent Session, in continuation of the numbers already transmitted. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. P. BOWEN.

Enclosure 3. N.Z. Hansard, Nos. 24-26.

Enclosure in No. 34. Synopsis of the Acts passed by the General Assembly op New Zealand in 1871. No. 1. The Imprest Supply Act authorizes the issue and application out of the Consolidated Fund of £150,000 to the service of the year ending 30th June, 1872. This sum is to be charged in the manner expressed in the Appropriation Act of the present Session. No. 2. The Treasury Bills Act. Towards making good the supply granted to Her Majesty, the ColoDial Treasurer is authorized by this Act to make out Treasury Bills to the amount of £90,000, such Bills to be made out and issued under the authority of " The Treasury Bills Act, 1868." The currency of the said Bills as to £45,000 is not to extend beyond the 30th June, 1873, and as to the residue, not to extend beyond the 30th June, 1874. No. 3. The Customs Tariff Act. This Act imposes new duties on certain articles mentioned, and increases the duties on other articles chargeable under " The Customs Tariff Act, I860;" and provision is made for giving effect to the alteration in the law affected by this Act. No. 4. The Stamp Duties Act Amendment Act. The existing Stamp Duties Acts are amended in several particulars, and new and increased duties are imposed. The Act contains general provisions applicable to the matters contained therein. No. 5. The Gold Duties Act 1870 Amendment Act. This Act amends an Act passed last Session of the General Assembly ("The Gold Duties Act, 1870"). Doubts having arisen as to the intended operation of the Act referred to, this Act was passed to declare that " The Gold Duties Act, 1858," should be deemed to have remained in operation until Ist January, 1871. The Act also contains an indemnity to officers of Customs for permitting the exportation of gold which had been prohibited by the Governor by Proclamation under "The Customs Eegulation Act, 1858." No. 6. The Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway Act. This Act has been passed to remove doubts as to the validity of an Ordinance passed by the Provincial Legislature of Otago for the purpose of authorizing the construction of a certain railway, and the taking of lands therein specified, and among others, certain lands below high watermark. Subject to the provisions of this Act, " The Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway Lands Compulsory Taking Ordinance, 1870," is to be deemed to have the force of law, as if the same had been passed by the General Assembly. All acts done and proceedings taken and completed before the passing of this Act, and all estates, interests, Ac, acquired are validated. Lands below high watermark are not to be taken by the promoters, and the Ordinance referred to is fro tanto declared invalid. Other provisions are inserted for giving effect to the Act, and regulating the proceedings of the promoters. No. 7. The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Act amends the existing Acts as to Municipal Corporations. Power is given to Municipal Corporations to take lands for permanent works (defined by the Act) and prescribes the mode of procedure thereon. Special rates, as water-rates, are authorized to be levied for the supply of water to cities or boroughs, and provides for the conduct of municipal elections by ballot, repealing the provisions of former Acts as to the mode of election. No. 8. The Highway Boards Empowering Act confers on Highway Boards constituted under Provincial laws, certain powers which cannot be conferred by Provincial legislation, and defines the rights, duties, and powers of the Boards to which the provisions of the Act may be extended. No. 9. The Native Districts Road Boards Act. In this Act, provision is made for the constitution of Road Boards in Native Districts ; wherever the major part of the residents in any district are of the Native race, they may memorialize the Governor to declare such district to be a district in which this Act shall come into operation. The Governor is empowered to make regulations for the constitution and regulation of such Boards, and the exercise of their functions. The application of the revenues to be received by these Boards, and other matters, are also provided for. No. 10. The Provincial Acts Validation Act Continuance Act continues in operation for a period of six months an Act of the General Assembly called " The Provincial Acts Validation Act Continuance Act, 1869," with the exception of an Act referred to. The fourth section of another Act called "The Provincial Acts Validation Act Continuance Act, 1870," is also continued in operation for a period of six months. No. 11. The Appeals from Provincial Rating Act provides a system of appealing against rates imposed under the authority of Provincial Legislatures. The Act applies to rates other than rates for the repair and construction of roads under Provincial Ordinances. A right of appeal for certain causes is given to Resident Magistrates' Courts or Courts of Petty Session, and for other causes, not provided for by the preceding provisions, to the District Court or Supreme Court. The proceedings on such appeals are regulated by the Act. No. 12. The Land Transfer Act Amendment Act. Passed to amend the provisions of an Act of the General Assembly of the Session of 1870, and to extend the operation of that Act. No. 13. The Auckland Mineral Leases Act empowers the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland to grant leases of land for the purpose of mining for and working the minerals therein on certain terms and conditions. The Act is not to apply to gold, or to authorize lessees to mine or dig for gold. No. 14. The Nelson Crown Lands Leasing Acts Amendment Act amends " The Crown Lands (Nelson) Leasing Act, 1867." Lessees are to be entitled to get Crown grants of their land in certain cases, and holders of leases already issued may exchange the same for leases under this Act.