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23. Tautology is of course to be avoided ; and, in. order to prevent repetitions, interpretation clauses specially fitted for the particular statutes aro of great service. 24. It is always desirable to bring the subject of an enactment as near to the predicate as possible, in order that the mind of the reader may not be kept unnecessarily in suspense. 25. Sentences should be shortened where possible ; and it is in general desirable, if practicable, that there should be no more than one enacting verb in one sentence. If there is necessity for it, a modification of the enactment may be added in a second paragraph in the same section. 26. These are among the most obvious means of avoiding obscurity, ambiguity, complexity, and difficulty of comprehension, which we have kept constantly in view in the course of our •work. 27. We have not thought it necessary or desirable to allude specifically in our reports on each particular Bill to mere omissions of redundant words, or transposition of words, or alteration of arrangement of clauses, which will be at once discernible on comparing our draft Bills with the original enactments, to which we have always afforded a reference in the margin of our drafts. It would have involved much trouble and expense in printing to have indicated all such alterations, without any real practical benefit. 28. Each Bill is accompanied by a report calling attention to the changes we have made; and any substantially new provision which we have suggested for enactment is printed in the Bill in italics. 29. We have been able, during the short period which has elapsed since our appointment under the present Act, to prepare consolidated Bills absorbing sixty-four Acts of. the Assembly, the following being the subjects : — 1. Adulteration Prevention .. .. .. Consolidating 3 Acts. 2. Aliens . . .. .. .. .. „ 3 „ 3. Animals Protection .. .. .. .. „ 2 ~ 4. Arms . . .. .. .. .. „ 5 „ 5. Banks and Bankers . . .. .. .. „ 7 „ 6. Bills of Exchange .. .. .. .. „ 2 ~ 7. Building Societies .. .. .. . . ~ 2 „ 8. Companies .. .. .. .. „ 6 „ 9. Cruelty to Animals .. .. .. .. „ 1 „ 10. Deaths by Accidents .. .. .. „ 2 „ 11. Juries .. .. .. .. .. „ 5 „ 12. Marriage . . .. .. .. .. „ 5 „ 13. Married Women's Property .. .. .. „ 2 „ 14. Mercantile Law, consolidating— The Mercantile Law Amendment Act, 1860 .. The Mercantile Law further Amendment Act, 1878 The Advances to Agents Act, 1861 The English Acts Act, 1856 (so much as relates to bills of lading) The Carriers Act, 1866 .. .. ••11l The Delivery of Goods and Lien for Freight Act, 1869 • • f " The Interest on Money Act, 1868 The Partnership Law Amendment Act, 1866 The Special Partnerships Act, 1858 The Restriction on Marine Re-assurance Removal Act, 1869.. The Warehoused Goods Act, 1876 15. Chattel Securities, consolidating— The Wool and Oil Securities Act, 1858 The Bills of Sale Act, 1867 The Bills of Sale Act, 1868 The Mortgages of Stock Registration Act, 1868 .. I „ The Bailments of Stock and Chattels Registration Act, 1869.. [ " The Agricultural and Produce Lien Act, 1871 The Wool and Oil Securities Act Amendment Act, 1871 The Bills of Sale Act Amendment Act, 1875.. 64 Acts. 30. There are some heads of law to which we should have directed our attention at the commencement of our labours but for the understanding that there was a probability of the Government introducing measures on these subjects during the approaching session. 31. We hope to be able to prepare a few more Bills at a period so early in the session as to make it possible for the Legislature to consider them before the close of the session. 32. In concluding our observations on the subject of consolidation, we desire to call attention to the expediency of avoiding any repugnancy or contradiction arising from fresh legislation during the session in which consolidated Bills are introduced; which might, in many cases, be effected by the introduction of the proposed new enactments into the consolidated Bills.