A.—l.

30

Provision'is made for the representation of Education Boards and of urbal school districts on the governing bodies of secondary schools, and further safeguards are set up to prevent the use of the secondary endowments or Government grants for the maintenance of lower departments of secondary schools. Scholarships, —There are two systems of school scholarships now in existence—namely, the Junior National Scholarships and the Education Board Scholarships. The Junior National Scholarships are tenable for three years, and may be extended to a fourth year, and are fixed in value. The Education Board Scholarships are divided into Junior and Senior, each series being generally for two years; they vary considerably in value in the different education districts. The Act provides for one system of scholarships, to be called Junior and Senior National Scholarships, each tenable for two or three years, but for not more than five years in all. 1914, No. 57. The Imprest Supply Act, 1914 (No. 5). —This Act applies the sunt of £203,000 from the Public Account, and the sum of £4.100 from other specified accounts, for the service of the year ending 31st March, 1915. 1914, No. 58. The Iron and Steel Industries Act, 1914.—This Act authorizes the payment out of the Consolidated Fund of bounties in respect of the manufacture in New Zealand during the next ten years of iron and steel from iron-ore or ironsand produced in New Zealand. The total amount authorized to be paid is £150,000. 1914, No. 59. The Legislative Council Act. 1914.—This Act provides for an elective instead of an appointed Legislative Council. For the purposes of the Act New Zealand is divided into four electoral divisions —two in the North and two in the South Island. At the first election (to be held simultaneously with the first general election of members of the House held after the Ist January, 1916), seven members of the Council are to be elected for each of the North Island electoral divisions and five for each of the South Island divisions. At subsequent elections forty members in all are to be elected, and (unless the alterations in boundaries made by the Representation Commissioners necessitate an alteration) twenty-two members are to be elected for the North Island and eighteen for the South Island. Members of the Legislative Council now in office remain in office until the expiry of the term for which they were appointed. In the future only Maori members may be appointed to hold office for six years. Councillors elected under this Act will continue to hold office until the dissolution of Parliament, which takes place after the expiration of five years from the date of their election. Elections are to be conducted on the proportional representation system. Sections 5 to 9 define the powers of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives respectively with respect to the initiation of legislation and other matters. 1914, No. 60. The Mortgages Extension Amendment Act, 1914 (No. 2). —This amendment enables the Governor, by Order in Council, to suspend or modify the provisions of the principal Act (1914, No. 7). 1914, No. 61. The Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes important amendments for the purpose of ensuring the safety and well-being of miners. In particular provision is made with respect to— (a.) Official inquiries in case of accident: (b.) Ventilation in mines : (c.) Prohibiting use of electricity in certain cases : (d.) Withdrawal of men from dangerous localities : (c.) Prescribing the use of safety-lamps where deemed necessary: (/.) Examination of mines by persons appointed for the purpose by the workmen : (g.) Provision for bathhouses, with hot- and cold-water supply, for use of workmen : (h.) Constitution of committee, consisting of Warden or Magistrate, and representatives of mine-manager and men, to frame additional rules for regulation of mines : (i.) Power to Inspector of Mines to order cessation of work where, in his opinion, there is any immediate danger to life. 1914, No. 62. The Mining Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes various rules for the better and safer working of gold-mines. Section 14 empowers the workmen in any mine to have the mine inspected. Section 15 enables the Inspector summarily to stop work in case of danger to life. Section 17 makes better, provision as to the conduct of official inquiries as to accidents. 1914, No. 63. The Native Land Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes various amendments of the Native Land Act, 1909, and of the amending Act of 1913. 1914, No. 64. The Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1914. —This Act is for the purpose of determining certain claims and disputes in relation to Native lands, and to confer certain jurisdiction upon the Native Land Court and Maori Land Boards. 1914, No. 65. The Legislature Amendment Act, 1914 (No. 2). —This Act provides for the disqualification of members of either House of Parliament who are proved to the satisfaction of a parliamentary Committee to have acted -as agents for commission or other regard on the sale to or acquisition by the Crown of any private land. 1.914, No. 66. The Mental Defectives Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes a minor amendment of the Mental Defectives Act, 1911. 1914, No. 67. The Railways Authorization Act, 1914. —This Act authorizes the construction of several railways to the extent specified in the schedule. 1914, No. 68. The New Zealand University Amendment Act, 1914.—The principal amendment of the law effected by this Act is the constitution, in connection with the New Zealand