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1914, No. 25. The Public Bodies' Leases Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends in a minor particular the provisions of the Public Bodies' Leases Act, 1908. 1914, No. 26. The Animals Protection Act, 1914.—This Act is an amendment of the Animals Protection Act, 1908, and empowers the Governor to take land, as for a public work, for the purpose of providing sanctuaries for imported or native game, or for the breeding or preservation of such game. 1914, No. 27. The Licensing Amendment Act, 1914.—Section 2 is designed to prevent, as far as practicable, the inclusion by the Representation Commissioners (when determining the, boundaries of the several electoral districts) of any licensed premises in a no-license district. Section 6 prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor to any person under the age of twenty-one years, except to a person resident on the premises where the liquor is sold, or to a bona fide guest or lodger on such premises. The prohibition applies to persons holding any kind of license under the principal Act, and not only to persons holding publicans' licenses. Section 7 provides an altered form of ballot-paper for the national prohibition poll. Under the old form a voter was required to vote either (1) against national prohibition, or (2) for national prohibition. Under the amended form votes are recorded either (1) for national continuance, or (2) for national prohibition. Section 8 makes more effective provision for preventing the surreptitious entry of intoxicating liquor into no-license districts. Section 10 prohibits (after the Ist April, 1915) the employment in any bar of a person under twenty-one years of age. Section II provides for the issue of licenses for the manufacture of wine in New Zealand, and regulates the sale of such wine. A licensee under this section is prohibited from selling wine in quantities less than 2 gallons, and also from permitting the consumption of wine on his premises. For the purposes of these provisions "wine" includes any liquor being the produce of fruit grown in New Zealand and of a strength not exceeding 40 per cent, of proof spirit. 1914, No. 28. The Remounts Encouragement Act, 1914.—This Act is intended to encouragethe breeding of horses suitable for military purposes by giving to the owners of selected stallions a subsidy not exceeding £150 in any one case. 1914, No. 29. The Rangitaiki Land Drainage Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act extends from £50,000 to £100,000 the authority to raise money for the purpose of drainage and other works in the Rangitaiki district. 1914, No. 30. The Hauraki Plains Amendment Act, 1914.—Section 2 increases from £145,000 to £175,000 the authority to raise money for the purpose of drainage and other works in the Hauraki Plains. Section 3 exempts from all general county rates all lands liable to be rated in respect of works undertaken "under the principal Act. 1914, No. 31. The Fisheries Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes various minor amendments of the Fisheries Act, 1908. 1914, No. 32. The Looal Railways Act, 1914.—The purpose of this Act is to permit of the construction of railways by local Railway Boards in districts where the Government is not in a position to undertake the work. Section 3 provides for the constitution of railway districts by the Governor, on the petition of not less than one-fourth of the ratepayers therein. For each district there is to be a Railway Board of not less than five nor more than nine members, to be elected by the ratepayers. For the purpose of providing funds the Board of a district is empowered to raise moneys under the Local Bodies' Loans Act, and is also empowered to levy rates for the purpose of providing for the excess of the estimated expenditure over the estimated revenue in any year. Every railway to be constructed under the Act has to be specially authorized by the by Order in Council; and, on the issue of an Order, the Board may enter into the necessary contracts for the construction of the works. The necessary powers for the efficient conduct of the business of the railway, when completed, are conferred upon the Board. Section 78, et seq., enable the Governor, on giving twelve months' notice in writing of his intention, to purchase any railway undertaking constructed pursuant to the Act, the price to be determined by arbitration. The provisions of Part VIII of the Public Works Act (relating to the regulation and inspection of railways) are applied to railways constructed under this Act, and certain rights of the Crown e.g.. free carriage of mails, use of railway and rolling-stock in time of war or civil commotion —are protected. 1914 No 33. The Legislature Amendment Act, 1914.—1n addition to various technical amendments of minor importance, this Act provides for the following matters :— (1.) Section 2 reduces from three months to one month the necessary period of residence in a district before an elector becomes entitled to enrolment for that district, (2 ) Section 4 provides for the enrolment as electors of members of the theatrical profession and of commercial travellers who have resided in New Zealand for not less than one year but may not have resided for one month in any district.

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