The Legislation of last Session.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3680, 11 October 1880, Page 3

The Legislation of last Session.

The Wakatip Mail speaks as follows of the Acts passed during the last session :—

Most important is the Bill of Sales, Lien upon Crops measure, which repeals all previou.9 legislation, and is now called "The Chattel Securities Act." It is a Tery complete measure, and came into force upon the 17th August last. We are inclined to think that securities given under the old law will have to be re-made anew, if filed after that date. Personal chattels mean almost everything except Teal estate. Leases, live stock, growing crops, wool and oil, are rendered under this comprehensive Act negotiable securities. The schedules of the Act give the form of instrument required by farmers and wool growers. The Adulteration Act is, however, a most • useful and required measure, and demands attention from local authorities. Again clause 19 of the Animals Protection Act is a valuable one, and reads :—" The Governor may declare, by notification that any animal or bird, etc., shall come within the operation of this Act." The Animals Cruelty Act is als© a wise measure, and will give power to any private individual to lay a charge without having to encounter technical objections. Banks and Bankers is another consolidating measure, and removes many doubts hitherto existing in this colony. It came into force upon the 17th August last. The Brands and Branding Act repeals a number of Ordinances and Acts, and simplifies those remaining still in force, making them more defined. The Dog Eegistration Act is a colonial measure. Dogs six months old roust be registered with the " local body," and a fee of 10s paid. The local authority must, under clause 125, keep collars and labels at the office, and the owner of every dog •' shall be entitled to receive a collar in respect of each dog he registers" (clause 6). Under the Dentists Act dentists must also register themselves. .Both these Acts came into force on August 19th and 28th respectively. The Juries Act is an exhaustive measure as also the Marriage Act and the Married Womens' Protection Act. Some doubts prevail about the scope of the lastnamed measure, which is simply a consolidation of the existing laws as to the granting protection, care of children, etc. This is not amended as regards real estate. ■ The Mercantile Law Act is another consolidating and exhaustive statute, and is a repetition of _ latest Home proceedings. It deals with acceptance, exchanges, advances to agents, carriers, delivery of goods, liens on freight, guarantees, limitation of action, partnership (general), partnership (special), specific delivery of goods, sureties, and other matters. This Act should be published in the form of a handbook for the guidance of our mercantile friends. The Municipal Corporations Amendment Act might also be termed a Wellington Act. It is, however, somewhat generally useful. Clause 13 gives a necessary power to "Inspectors of Nuisances, clause 20 as to building chimneys of a dangerous character, clause 25 empowers the Town Clerk to act in any R.M. Court, without his standing being called into question. The Public Works Act, although valuable for nothing that affects this county, is nevertheless useful for many purposes when taken in con* junction with " The Counties Act.''