Synopsis of New Bills.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 4 July 1890, Page 2

Synopsis of New Bills.

«, VOLUNTEER DRILL-SHEDS AND LANDS TRUSTEES VALIDATION 13ILL. Is to validate the appointment and the Acts of Trustees who have been gazetted where no corporate uame has been given. i It is a very short bill of 4 clauses. OATHS BILL. provides that any one may make aa affirmation instead of oath, whether.he considers it contrary to his veligioui belief, or that ha has no religious belief, and making all false statements under suoh affirmation liable to punishment as is provided for perjury. TRUSTEE BILL. Authorises a trustee to appoint a solicitor to be his agent for certain purposes and relieving him from being chargeable with breach of trust by so doing. No sale 6hall be impeached by any cexihjuque trust upon the ground than any of the conditions to which the sale was made have been unnecessarily depreciatory. Relieves trustees from liability on loans, except only of the proportion borne by the amount of the loan to the value of inch property at the time when the loan was made. Provides further for reducing the liability for loss by reason of improper in estmentK, and permits a Court to allow of indemnity for breach of trust. It also allows trusttes to plead the statute of limitations. CHILDREN'S PROTECTION BILL. provides for the punishment for illtreatment and neglect of children by fine or imprisonment, wilh a further power to increase the fine where offender is interested in the death of the child. Places restrictions on the employment of children : The Bill does not take away the right of any parent, teacher, or other person having the lawful control of v child, to administer punishment to such child. MERCANTILE AGENTS BILL. " Mercantile Agpm "' moans a Mercantile agent having in the customary course of his business as such agent authority either to sell good*, or to consign goods for the purpose of sale, or to buy goods, or to raise money on the security of goods. Defines the powers of agent with respect to disposition of goods, and enacts for the purposes of this Act the consent of the owner shall be presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary. An agreement made with a mercantile agent through a clerk or other person authorised ia the ordinary course of business to make contracts of sale or pledge on his behalf shall be deemed 1o be nn arrangement with the agent. Define.-; llic question of the disposition by seller of goods remaining in possession, or the disposition by buyer in obtaining possession, and the effect of transfer of documents on vendor's h'pn or right of stoppage in fnnixitii. It repeals the whole of two English Acts one being an Act for the Better Protection of the Property of Merchants and others who may hereafter enter into contracts or agreements in relation to Goods, Wares, or Merchandise entrusted to Faetora or Agents. and the other >eing "An Act to liter and amend an Act for the Bettor Protection of the Property of Merchants and others who may hereafter enter into contracts or Agreements in relation to goods, Wares, or Merchandise entrusted to Factors or Agents."' And also sections 5 to 20 both inclusive of •• The Mercantile Law Act. 18*0 " of NewZealand. ARBITRATION BILL. sets out that a bubinissiuu, unless a contrary intention is expressed therein, shall be irrevocable, except by leave of the court. Court meaning the Supreme Court of New Zealand. The Court may in certain cases appoint an arbitrator. The Bill has been introduced for amending and consolidating the Enactments relating to arbitration. The Crown is to be bound as well as others, Ivy- the Bill. A schedule sots forth the provisions to be implied in submissions. PCI'LIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICE'S BILL. is introduced to provide for the morp »>fiVctual prevention and punishment of Bribery and Corruption of and by members, Ollicers, or Servants of Corporations, Councils. Hoards, Commissions, or other public bodies. Every person who by himself, or by or in conjunction with any other person, corruptly sinking solicits or rftCMves, or agrees to recsive for himself or for any other person, any gift, loan, fee. reward, or advantage whatever us an inducement to, or reward for. or otherwise on account of any member, oftieo. or «r>rvaiH of a public body as in this Act defined doing or for beariii'-' to do anything in respect of any matter or transaction whatsoever, actual or proposed in which the said body concerned, i* guilty of a. misdemeanour. Every person who by himself, or by or in conjunction with any other per»on, corrupt y gives, promises, or offers any gift, loan, fee. reward, or advantage whatsoever to any person, whether for the benefit of that person or of another person, as an inducement to or reward for or otherwisn on account of any member, officer, or servant of any public body as in this Act defined doing or forbearing to do anything in respect of any matter or transaction whatsoever actual" or proposed, in which such public body a» aforesaid is conaerned, is guilty, of a misdemeanour. The punishments are: Imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, or a fine not exceeding £500 or both. In addition to pay such body the Talue of the gift.

itic&vlVfe of eliciion or appointment to u.ny public oiiiefc ioi 7 jefiis?: Foi: the second oJ;eace, al! tbe peiisltinß and be rendered for ever incajv of holding public officeAnd to forfeit, all claim to anj compeusfUion such employment might hure entitled hhfl,