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Synopsis of Acts passed by the General Assembly op New Zealand in the Year, 1908. "■ Session ending on the 10th day of October, 1908. Public General Acts. 1. Imprest Supply Act, 1908 : Granting to His Majesty for the service of the year ending 31st March, 1909, the sums of Seven hundred and twelve thousand pounds ; Fourteen thousand pounds ; and One hundred thousand pounds. 2. Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1908 : Authorising the raising of a loan of One million two hundred and fifty thousand pounds, in aid of certain specified public works and other purposes. 3. Imprest Supply Act, 1908 (No. 2) : Granting to His Majesty for the service of the year ending 31st March, 1909, the sums of Seven hundred and twelve thousand pounds, Fourteen thousand pounds, One hundred thousand pounds. 4. Consolidated Statutes Enactment Act, 1908 : Enacting a revised and consolidated edition of the Public General Statutes of New Zealand, containing two hundred and eight Acts prepared by the Commissioners appointed by the Governor in pursuance of the Reprint of Statutes Act, 1895. This enactment contains four Appendices setting forth : — • (1) A list of the Short Titles of the Consolidated Acts. (2) A list of the Short Titles of the enactments consolidated and repealed. (3) A list of enactments not included in the consolidation, and (4) The Consolidated Statutes printed separately in five volumes, and numbered consecutively from No. 1 to No. 208. 209. Local Authorities' Indemnity Act, 1908 : Authorising and validating the expenditure of moneys by certain local authorities in connection with the reception, welcome, and entertainment of the American Fleet at the Port of Auckland. 210. Imprest Supply Act, 1908 (No. 3) : Granting to His Majesty for the service of the year ending 31st March, 1909, the sums of One million two hundred and twelve thousand pounds, Fourteen thousand pounds, and One hundred thousand pounds. 211. New Zealand Society of Accountants Act, 1908 : Establishing a body corporate to be called the New Zealand Society of Accountants ; providing for the registration of qualified persons as members of that Society ; and for the election by the members of a governing body to be called the Council; also setting forth the qualifications required by future candidates for admission as members of the Society. 212. Incorporated Societies Act, 1908 : Repealing the Unclassified Societies Registration Act, 1908 ; and making further and more elaborate provisions for the incorporation of Societies which are not established for the purpose of pecuniary gain. 213. Coroners Amendment Act, 1908: Amending the Coroners Act, 1908 and providing amongst other things that: — (a) A coroner may hold inquests without a jury. (b) It shall not be necessary for any juror (or in certain cases for the coroner) to view the body of a person upon whom an inquest is being held. (c) Persons having an interest in the proceedings may attend inquest and examine witnesses ; and (d) Witnesses may receive payment for expenses. 214. Town Boards Amendment Act, 1908 : Altering the manner of election of members of Town Boards. 215. Town Boards Amendment Act, 1908 (No. 2) : Declaring certain town districts mentioned in the Schedule not to form part of the counties within the boundaries of which they are situated, and authorising the Governor .at any time after the passing of the Act to declare that any other town district with a population of more than five hundred shall not form part of a county. 216. Local Elections and Polls Amendment Act, 1908 : Providing that a Deputy Returning Officer under the principal Act may in certain cases make the declaration required by section thirteen thereof »* before a Justice of the Peace instead of '"before the Returning Officer. 217. Civil Service Amendment Act, 1908 : Making further exemptions from the requirements of section four of the principal Act for the purpose of enabling the permanent appointment to the Public Service without examination of persons possessing expert knowledge of any profession, trade, business, industry or calling, or of any science or art; also the appointment of artisans and other workmen. 218. Taupo No. 2 Block Act, 1908 : Repealing as from the passing thereof section 32 of the Maori Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1906, by virtue of which certain land at Plimmerton, known as Taupo No. 2 was constituted a scenic and historic reserve, the said land not being required for that purpose. 219. Destitute Persons Act Amendment Act, 1908 : Amending the Destitute Persons Act so that a grandparent of a destitute person shall not be liable for the maintenance of that person so long as there is any other near relative capable of maintaining him. 220. Declaratory Judgments Act, 1908 : Enabling the Supreme Court to give declaratory judgments or orders ; that is to say, enabling the Court to give authoritative decisions as to the interpretation of statutes, regulations, &c, or of deeds, wills or other documents without the necessity of any actual case having arisen, requiring such interpretation to be given. Persons interested may apply to the Supreme Court by means of originating summons for such declaratory orders, and declarations so made shall have the same effect as if they were contained in a judgment.