G.—la.

" The Native Land Alienation Restriction Act, 1884." This Act prohibited dealings by Europeans in certain Native lands in the Provincial Districts of Auckland, Taranaki, and Wellington, known as "the King-country," to prevent complications which might arise through negotiations for such purchases within the boundaries of that territory, it being desirable to lock it up for a time until the necessary land through which the northern main trunk line of railway was to be constructed was definitely arranged for. Section 7 saved the right of the Crown to acquire any of the land within the territory aforesaid which the Native owners thereof might wish to dispose of. In connection with this Act it may be stated that " The Government Native Land Purchases Act, 1877," and the relative Amendment Act of 1878, which were passed to protect the interests of the Crowm in the purchase of Native lands, are unrepealed. " The Native Equitable Owners Act, 1886." This Act was passed to confirm to Natives certain equitable rights. Under " The Native Lands Act, 1865," certificates of title to and Crown grants of certain lands were made to Natives nominally as absolute owners, whereas in many cases such Natives were only entitled and were only intended to be clothed with titles as trustees for themselves and others, members of their tribe, or hapu, or otherwise. It was therefore enacted by sections 2 and 3 that, upon the application of any Native claiming to bo beneficially interested in any such lands, the Native Land Court might inquire into the nature of title to such land, and into the existence of any intended trust affecting the title' thereto. And, according to the result of the inquiry, the Court might declare that no such trust exists, or, if it found that any such did or was intended to exist, who were the persons beneficially entitled. Section 4 empowered the Court, therefore, to order that the persons entitled to beneficial ownership should be owners as tenants in common of the land in question, and should be deemed to be such owners as if their names had been inserted in the certificate or grant affecting such land. Section 5 protected prior conveyances, also leases. Section 8 restricted alienation, except by lease for no longer period than twenty-one years, unless with permission of the Governor. " The Native Land Administration Act, 1886." This Act was enacted to control dealings by Europeans in Native lands. In fact, it was a resumption by the Crown of the pre-emptive right; but no transactions were effected under it, and it was repealed by the 3rd section of " The Native Land Act, 1888." " The Native Land Court Act, 1886." This- Act was passed to amend and consolidate the laws relating to the Native Land Court. It repealed the following Acts : " The Maori Funds Investment Act, 1865," " The Maori Real Estate Management Act, 1867," " The Maori. Real Estate Management Act Amendment Act, 1877," " The Native Land Act, 1873," " The Native Grantees Act, 1873," " The Native Land Act Amendment Act, 187-4," " The Native Land Act Amendment Act, 1877," " The Native Land Act 1873 Amendment Act, 1878," " The Native Land Act Amendment Act, 1878 (No. 2)," " The Native Land Court Act, 1880," " The Taonui-Ahuaturanga Land Act, 1880," " The Native Land Act Amendment Act, 1881," (except the last three clauses,) "The Native Succession Act, 1881," " The Native Land Acts Amendment Act, 1882," " The Native Land Division Act, 1.882," "The Native Land Laws Amendment Act, 1883 ;" and was simply a machinery Act for the future administration of the Native Land Court. " The Native Land Act, 1888." Section 3 repealed " The Native Land Administration Act, 1886 ; " but it, and also section 7, saved the rights of renewal of leases under the repealed Act. By section 4, subject to the provisions of the Native Lands Frauds Prevention Acts of 1881 and 1888, Natives were permitted to alienate or dispose of their land as they thought fit. Section 5 enacted that existing restrictions on alienation might be removed by the Governor in Council on the application of a majority in number of the Native owners. " The Native Land Court Act 1886 Amendment Act, 1888 " (to be read and construed as part of "The Native Lands Court Act, 1886";. Section 6 permitted restrictions on alienation which might thereafter be ordered under section 13 to be annulled or varied by order of the Court on application by a majority in

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