A.—l

26

No. 43. The Public Revenues Act, 1910 : This Act repeals the Public Revenues Act, 1908, and re-enacts ite provisions, with one important exemption—the system of post-audit having been substituted for the present system of pre-audit of the accounts of the Dominion. The Act comes into operation on the Ist day of April, 1911. No. 44. The New Zealand Loans Amendment Act, 1910: This Act is consequent upon the passing of the Public Debt Extinction Act, 1910, and provides that on all debentures and other documents of security in respect of loans subject to the last-mentioned Act there shall be printed a certificate to the effect that a sinking fund in respect of the loan has been established, which will provide for the repayment of the loan in seventy-five years from the date of the raising thereof. No. 45. The Old-age Pensions Amendment Act, 1910 : Amends the Old-age Pensions Act, 1908, in various particulars, the principal amendment being with respect to the method of computing the value of the accumulated property of applicants for pensions. No. 46. The Licensing Amendment Act, 1910 : The most important feature of this Act is the amendment made in the law relating to licensing polls for the determination of the question as to whether or not licenses to sell intoxicating liquor are to continue to exist in New Zealand or in any licensing districts thereof. With respect to the question of the issue or otherwise of licenses in the various licensing districts, an important amendment has been made by the elimination from the voting-paper of the issue as to the reduction of licenses. Voters are now required to vote on two issues only— namely, either for continuance of licenses or for no licenses. Another important amendment is the provision made by this Act for the taking of a licensing poll to determine whether or not licenses are to be issued for the sale of liquor in any part of New Zealand —that is, on the question of national prohibition as opposed to merely local prohibition. These provisions are entirely new. Voters are required to vote either for or against national prohibition, and if three-fifths of the voters are in favour of national prohibition the proposal will be carried, and national prohibition shall come into force on the expiration of four years from the date of the election at which the proposal was so carried. If national prohibition is carried at any election as aforesaid, a proposal for the restoration of licenses shall be submitted to the electors at the first general election which is held after the expiration of three years from the coming into force of the detei'mination in favour of national prohibition. The proposal for national restoration is to be carried if at least three-fifths of the voters are in favour thereof, and the determination comes into force at the expiration of three months. Other amendments of the Act effected by this Act provide as follows : — (1.) For the better enforcement of the law prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquor in no-license districts. (2.) Restricting the supply of liquor to Natives within proclaimed areas, and prohibiting the supply to intoxicated male Natives or to any female Native not being the wife of a European. (3.) Providing for the registration of women now employed as barmaids in licensed premises, and prohibiting the employment as barmaids of any persons not so registered. No. 47. The Harbours Amendment Act, 1910 : Amends in various respects the provisions of the Harbours Act, 1908, and, in particular, makes provision for the reconstitution of Harbour Boards and the more adequate representation thereon of local authorities and the payers of harbour dues. No. 48. The Stone-quarries Act, 1910: The purpose of this Act is to secure the safety of persons employed in stone-quarries by providing that only men of sufficient skill and experience shall hold the positions of manager and deputy manager respectively, and by enacting certain rules for the regulation of blasting and of other hazardous duties in the working of such quarries. No. 49. The Inalienable Life Annuities Act, 1910: This Act provides for the creation and issue of annuities which (to an amount not exceeding £104 per annum in the case of any one annuitant) shall be inalienable either by the act of the annuitant or by operation of law in favour of his creditors. No. 50. The Monopoly Prevention Amendment Act, 1910 : Extends until the 31st December, 1912, the provisions of the Monopoly Prevention Act, 1908. No. 51. The Public Health Amendment Act, 1910: Amends in various particulars the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1908. No. 52. The Railways Authorization Act, 1910 : Authorizing the construction of certain railways to the extent specified in' the schedule. No. 53. The Auctioneers Amendment Act, 19]0: Amends in various particulars the provisions of the Auctioneers Act, 1908. No. 54. The Crown Suits Amendment Act, 1910 : This Act extends the liability of the Crown in respect of the following causes of action : — (a.) Breach of contract. (b.) Any wrong or injury independent of contract for which an action for damages would lie if the defendant were a subject of His Majesty (see, however, the exceptions set out in section i). (fi.) Any cause of action in respect of which a petition of right would lie at common law. No. 55. The Scenery Preservation Amendment Act, 1910 : Amends in various particulars the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908. No. 56. The Gaming Amendment Act, 1910 : This Act repeals those provisions of the Gaming Act, 1908, which authorize the licensing of bookmakers; and imposes upon racing clubs the duty