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the leave of the Supreme Court. By section 7 the Supreme Court is empowered to extend the term of any existing mortgage to a date not later than the 31st December, 1921. The amendments effected by sections 5 and 7, and the fact that the present Act has no application to future mortgages, are the only material differences between the present law and the Mortgages Extension Act, 1914. ), No. 9.—The Education Purposes Loans Act, 1919.—This Act empowers the Minister of Finance to borrow moneys for the acquisition of land and the erection of buildings for purposes of University colleges, public schools, students' hostels, teachers' residences, and other similar purposes. The amount so authorized to be borrowed is £500,000 for the current financial year and £750,000 for each of the four following financial years. ), No. 10.—The Manawatu Gorge Road and Bridge Act, 1919.—This Act makes provision for the constitution of a special Board of Control with respect to the Manawatu Gorge Road and the Manawatu Gorge Bridge as defined in the First and Second Schedules. The cost of maintenance is to be defrayed by the local authorities specified in the Fourth Schedule in the proportions specified in that schedule. The Board of Control has, with respect to the road and bridge, the same powers and authority as if the Board were a County Council, and as if the road and bridge respectively were a county road and a bridge thereon. ), No. 11. —The Fishing Industry Promotion Act, 1919.—This Act empowers the Minister of Finance to borrow the sum of £25,000 in every financial year, and to utilize the sum for the purpose of making advances (not exceeding £5,000 in any case) for the promotion of the fishing industry. Advances under the authority of this Act may be made for the establishment of cool-storage plants, the preserving of fish, the purchase and equipment of fishing-boats, and for any other purpose ancillary to the fishing industry. I, No. 12.—The New Zealand University Amendment Act, 1919.—This Act increases the amount of the annual grants payable out of the Consolidated Fund to the New Zealand University and its affiliated institutions. I, No. 13.—The Post and Telegraph Amendment Act, 1919.—This Act makes various amendments of the Post and Telegraph Amendment Act, 1908, and provides, inter alia, for the following matters: — (1.) The registration of magazines : (2.) The exemption from postage charges of packets containing matter in raised characters for the use of the blind : (3.) The payment in certain cases, to persons beneficially entitled, of amounts standing to the credit of deceased depositors in the Post Office Savings-bank, without requiring probate or letters of administration : (4.) Authorizing the establishment by the Postmaster-General of a safe-deposit system : (5.) Requiring officers of the Department to make declarations of fidelity before entering on the duties of their office : (6.) Prohibiting the use of private telephone lines, save pursuant to a license issued by the Governor-General : (7.) Extending the right of appeal of officers of the Post and Telegraph Department from determinations of their superior officers. !•', No. 14. —The Howard Estate Act, 1919.—The object of this Act is to give effect to the will of Josiah Howard (deceased), whereby he devised and bequeathed all his real and personal property to His Majesty the King without restriction or limitation, but in confidence that the New Zealand Government would use the property as a foundation and endowment for the purposes of agricultural education. The Act also provides for the distribution of the proceeds of a portion of the estate, not exceeding in the aggregate £25,000, among the next-of-kin of the deceased, or among otherpersons connected with him by blood or marriage, and for whom the deceased made no provision by his will. I, No. 15.—The Board of Trade Act, 1919.—This Act repeals sections 2 to 11 of the Cost of Living Act, 1915 (creating the Board of Trade), and establishes in place of that Board a Board to be called the New Zealand Board of Trade. The New Zealand Board of Trade consists of the Minister of Industries and Commerce and four other persons to be appointed by the Governor-General to hold office for a period of five 3'ears. The functions of the Board are as follows : — (1.) To obtain by means of investigations and judicial inquiries information as to the industries of New Zealand; (2.) To publish with respect to those industries such information as the Board deems of advantage to the public ; (3.) To procure by means of regulations the due control, maintenance, and development "of such industries ; and (4.) Such other functions relative to those industries as may be lawfully conferred upon the Board. For the purpose of carrying out its functions the Board is authorized to hold judicial inquiries with a view to obtaining such information as may be required for the control, regulation, and maintenance of the industries of New Zealand; the due observance, enforcement, or amendment of the laws relative thereto; the discovery of breaches of those laws; the prevention or suppression of monopolies, unfair competition, and other practices detrimental to the public welfare; the proper regulation in the public interest of the prices of goods and the rates of services; or for any other purpose relative to the industries of New Zealand. In the conduct of any such inquiry the Board is empowered to hear evidence on oath and to summon and compel the attendance of witnesses. The Board may in any case, with the approval of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, associate with itself one or more persons who, in the opinion of the Board, are possessed of expert knowledge of advantage to the Board in the conduct of the inquiry. In lieu of holding a judicial inquiry in any case, the Board is empowered to make "investigations" under section 23 of the Act with respect to any industry, and for that purpose may require any person, firm, or body corporate to answer any questions relating to that industry, or to produce any books or documents relating thereto and being in his or its possession or control.

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