A.—6

2

The Committee, appointed by Resolution 26, having prepared a draft code of procedure and practice in accordance with the resolution, the Commissioners again met on the 16th May, 1881, when the Committee, under Resolution 26, brought up a draft code of procedure and practice, with a report thereon, and the following resolution was passed with reference thereto: " That, in the opinion of the Commission, the draft code now submitted is so far in conformity with the instructions given to the Committee as to justify its being considered in detail." On consideration of the draft code in detail a few alterations were made by the Commission. The draft code was then referred to a Committee consisting of the Hon. Mr. J N Wilson, Mr George Harper, and Mr. Allan Holmes, to report on its verbal accuracy and fitness, and to prepare forms. On the 25th May, 1881, this Committee brought up its report to the Commission, annexing thereto the draft code as amended and revised. The Commission resolved, in view of the shortness of time available for its consideration, that the code, with the amendments proposed by the Committee, should be circulated. The Commission also resolved to meet again in July, to prepare its final report, so as to enable the Legislature to pass the enactments necessary to give effect to the recommendations of the Commission. A Committee has been appointed to prepare a code of rules for the local Courts, and the Commission has passed the following resolution * " That the Law Officers of the Crown be requested to prepare the legislative measures necessary to carry out the proposals of the Commission." A copy of the code, of the reports of the Committees, and of the amendments made by the Commission and the Committee, is annexed to this report. James Prendergast, W. Gisborne. Chairman. Alexander J. Johnston. Robert Stout. C. W. Richmond. John N. Wilson. Thomas B. Gillies. Robert Clapham Barstow Eked. Whitaker. George Harper. W. S. Reid. Allan Holmes. Martin Chapman, Secretary. 27th May, 1881.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED. 1. That a digest of the suggestions handed to the Commission be made and printed. 2. That the Commission now proceed to consider what Courts should exist in New Zealand, and what their respective jurisdictions should be. 3. That, in the opinion of the Commission, there should be Justices of the Peace with similar jurisdiction, civil and criminal, to that which they now possess. 4. That the District Courts, as at present constituted, be abolished, and that the present procedure of the Supreme Court be modified, so as to enable cases now disposed of in the District Court to be disposed of as quickly and cheaply as they now are in the District Court. 5. That "The Matrimonial Causes Act, 1867," be so amended that one Supreme Court Judge have the jurisdiction now exercisable by three or more Judges. 6. That there be local Courts in New Zealand, —(...) With an ordinary jurisdiction up to £50 in cases of claim for money, subject, however to exceptions hereafter mentioned, (b.) With an extended jurisdiction in like claims up to £200. (c.) That only barristers have the extended jurisdiction, but that the Resident Magistrates, not being barristers, who have an extended jurisdiction up to £100 under the present Resident Magistrates Act, may be allowed to retain