A.—7

2

Respecting the Public "Works Bill, certain changes in the law made during the last session have necessitated a revision of the Bill, and some alterations have been made in matters of a technical nature, to which reference will be found in the special report. The labour attending these revisions has been very great, especially in such lengthy measures as the Lunatics Bill and Public Works Bill. Ceiminal Code. In our last report (6th June, 1881) we stated that, if the Legislature should deem it desirable that such a code should be prepared for their consideration without waiting for the final decision of the Imperial Parliament, we should be able to prepare a Bill founded on the English Bills of 1878, 1879, and 1880, before the then next session of the General Assembly. We find that the English Bill of 1880, founded upon the Bills of 1878 and 1879, was not carried through the English Parliament in the session of 1880, or in that of 1881; but in the Queen's Speech on the opening of the present session an announcement was made to the effect that the Government would be prepared to introduce a measure on the subject. Moreover, we learn from reports of recent proceedings in the House of Commons that a Criminal Law Amendment Bill, introduced by Mr. Hopwood, and a Criminal Procedure Bill, introduced by Mr. Gorst, have been read a second time; but it was announced, on behalf of the Government, that, though they offered no objection to the second reading, they admitted that the full responsibility of codifying the criminal law must rest with them. We have not hitherto been able to procure information whether the Bill prepared by the Government be identical with that of 1880 or not; but we are of opinion that it would be inexpedient to introduce a Bill into the General Assembly until the fate of the English measure has been determined. We have nevertheless proceeded with, the work of examination and adaptation, and should have now had a draft Bill ready for printing had it not happened that one of the Commissioners was obliged to devote considerable time to the performance of extraordinary judicial duties, and has since been suffering from indisposition temporarily unfitting him for business. We are, however, of opinion that this unavoidable delay will prove advantageous in the end, as we shall be able, as soon as the Imperial measure is disposed of, to complete the draft Bill, and, with the sanction of the Assembly, to have it printed and circulated among the members of the Legislature, the legal profession, and the public, before its introduction. We do not think it desirable to make a general report at present upon the proposed English code, pointing out its objects and scope, showing what subjects it deals with and what it omits, the new provisions, and the extensions or modifications of the law as it now stands which it contains, the subjects with respect to which legislation in the colony would be ultra vires, and the objections which have been raised to the substance and form of the proposed enactments. Such a report we think would be of comparatively little value without specific reference to the provisions of a Bill in a completed condition. GeKEKAI/. With one or two exceptions, all the larger subjects to be found in the Statute Book which would come within the scope of our functions have been dealt with. The exceptions are, the laws relating to the Supreme and other Courts of the colony, and those affecting local governing bodies. Respecting these, however, it is expected that during the ensuing session of the General Assembly measures will be introduced which will affect some of these subjects; and the consolidation of others which yet remain to be dealt with will be easily accomplished. Assuming, therefore, that the measures now prepared and in preparation become law, we think we may assure your Excellency that the work of the Commission, so far as consolidation is concerned, ought to close with the session of 1883. The work of reprinting the Acts, in a shape similar to that of the volume of Imperial Acts published last year, could then be proceeded with immediately after the close of the session "above mentioned. Alexandee J. Johnston, W. S. Reid, Wellington, 15th May, 1882. Commissioners.

Authority : GrEOEGE Didsbtjby, Government Printer, Wellington. —1882.