33

A.—l

Part 11 deprives alien enemies of any right to vote at any election or poll conducted by a local authority, or of being a member of a focal authority. It further provides that alien friends shall not be capable of being elected as members of a local authority, but may vote at any election or poll conducted by such local authority. Part 111 affords relief to soldiers in respect of burdensome contracts that may have been entered into by them, and makes provision for relief in respect of certain specified classes of contracts entered into before the war. Part IV extends to furnished dwelling-houses the provisions of the War Legislation Act, 1916, relating to the restriction of rent. It also provides that proceedings on behalf of tenants may be instituted by an Inspector of Factories. Part V provides, inter alia, for the following matters : — Section 22 authorizes local authorities to borrow money for the purposes of public works that may be undertaken with a view to providing employment for discharged soldiers. Section 25 extends the Mortgages Extension Act so as to include mortgages of lifeinsurance policies. Section 27 authorizes the Governor-General, during the war, to take possession of any land or buildings that may be required for public purposes. Sections 28 and 29 restrict the right of public servants to retire on superannuation during the continuance of the war. Section 30 makes provision for the grant of war bursaries (educational) to the children of deceased or disabled members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. Section 35 extends the powers of the Governor-General to make war regulations. 11)17, No. 22. The State Supply of Electrical Energy Act, 1917. —This Act regulates the generation, sale, and supply of electrical energy by the State, and also provides for the keeping of a proper system of accounts in connection therewith. 1917, No. 23. The Hutt Road Amendment Act, 1917.—This Act makes further provision with respect to the construction and maintenance of the Hutt Road, and imposes fees on the owners of motor-vehicles using that road. 1917, No. 24. The Social Hygiene Act, 1917.—This Act makes certain provisions with a view to preventing the spread of venereal diseases, and for effecting the cure of persons suffering from such diseases. One of the main objects of the Act is to ensure the treatment of persons suffering from any such disease as aforesaid, and for this purpose the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards are required to make effective provision for the reception, accommodation, examination, and treatment of such persons. 1917, No. 25. The Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1917. —This Act amends in certain respects the provisions of the law relating to Native lands, and also makes provision for the determination of certain claims and disputes in relation to such lands. 1917, No. 26. The Reserves and Other Lands Disposal and. Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1917.— This Act provides for the exchange, sale, reservation, and disposition of certain reserves, Crown lands, endowments, and other lands, validates certain transactions, and confers [lowers on certain local authorities and other public bodies. 1917, No. 27. The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1917.—This Act amends in various particulars the provisions of the law relating to Crown lands. 1917, No. 28. The Statute Law Amendment Act, 1917.—This Act amends certain public general Acts of the General Assembly of New Zealand. »** Sections 2to 9 amend the provisions of the Education Act, 1914. Most of the amendments have been rendered necessary by conditions arising out of the war. Section 10 provides for the establishment of probation homes for children, and for the appointment of officers, to be known as Juvenile Probation Officers, having power to take charge of children who come within the provisions of the Industrial Schools Act. Section 14 makes further provision for the release on probation of persons undergoing sentences of imprisonment. Section 21 makes further provision with a. view to preventing an undue increase in the price of commodities during the war. 1917, No. 29. The Appropriation Act, 1917. —This Act appropriates and applies certain moneys out of the Public Account and other accounts to the service of the year ending 31st March, 1918. In addition to the usual provisions contained in the annual Appropriation Act, provision is made for the following matters : — (a.) For the payment to officers employed in the Government service (including the Education service) of moneys by way of war bonus or grants for special services : (b.) For the making of advances out of the Public Account for the purpose of providing additional cold storage. Local and Personal Acts. 1917, No. 1 (Local). The Day's Bay Sanitation and Water-supply Act, 1917.—This Act confers certain powers upon the Wellington City Council with reference to water-supply, drainage, sanitation, and other services for portion of the Hutt County. 1917, No. 2 (Local). The Manawatu County Loan and Empowering Act, 1917. -This Act authorizes the Manawatu County Council to raise a loan of £18,000 for tramway and other purposes. 1917, No. 3 (Local). The Tauranga Harbour Amendment and Foreshore Vesting Act, 1917.—This Act extends the Tauranga Harbour District, and vests portion of the foreshore in the Tauranga Harbour Board. 1917, No. 4 (Local). The Wellington City Empowering Act, 1917.—This Act confers certain additional powers on the Wellington City Council with respect to the subdivision of lands to be disposed of by way of sale or lease within the city.