A.—l.

10

1920, No. 11.—The Imprest Supply Act, 1920 (No. 3),—This Act applies the sum of £3,224,500 out of the Public Account, and the sum of £40,400 out of other specified accounts, for the year ending 31st March, 1921. 1920, No. 12.—The Statutes Repeal and Expiring Laws Continuance Act, 1920.—This Act specifically repeals the spent or expired enactments mentioned in Part I of the First Schedule thereto, repeals the enactments mentioned in Part II of that schedule, and continues in operation until the 31st day of August, 1921, the enactments mentioned in the Second Schedule. Section 3, by repealing subsection (6) of section 41 of the Finance Act, 1916, makes permanent the power to issue debentures in respect of land acquired by the Crown. Section 5 amends the provisions of section 13 of the War Legislation and Statute Law Amendment Act, 1918, relating to the protection of discharged soldiers from ejectment, by restricting the application of the term=s " soldier " and " discharged soldier " to members of an Expeditionary Force who have served beyond the seas. Section 6 extends to three years after the termination of the war with Germany the duration of certain enactments regulating banking and rates of interest. Section 7 extends the operation of the Mortgages Extension Act, 1919. 1920, No. 13.—Tiie Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Amendment Act, 1920.—This Act provides that agricultural and pastoral societies shall not dispose of Crown - granted land except with the approval of the Governor-General in Council. 1920, No. 14.—The Arms Act, 1920.—This Act makes better provision for the public safety by regulating the possession of arms, ammunition, and explosives. Section 3 makes unlawful the possession of automatic pistols, and ammunition specially intended or adapted for use therewith., The Minister of Defence is empowered to authorize returned soldiers, or their relatives, to retain possession of unlawful weapons used or brought from beyond the seas by such soldiers. All automatic pistols and ammunition must, before a certain date, be destroyed, or exported from New Zealand, or delivered to an officer of police. Compensation for pistols and ammunition delivered may be paid by the Minister of Finance. Section 4 makes it unlawful to carry pistols without a permit. Section 5 prohibits the carriage or possession of arms, ammunition, or explosives, except for proper and sufficient purposes. Sections 6 and 7 regulate the introduction into and the sale in New Zealand of firearms, ammunition, and explosives. Section 8 empowers the Governor-General to proclaim areas in which the possession of arms, ammunition, and explosives is prohibited. Section 9 provides for the registration of firearms. Section 10 declares the unlawful acquisition of firearms to be punishable on summary conviction by a fine of £100 or imprisonment for three months, or, on indictment, by imprisonment for three years. Sections 11 and 12 provide for the licensing of dealers in firearms and the keeping of records of sales by licensed dealers. The other sections of the Act declare certain acts to be offences, and make general provisions for the proper administration of the Act. 1920, No. 15.—The Crimes Amendment Act, 1920.—This Act makes various amendments of the Crimes Act, 1908, and provides, inter ah'a, for the following matters : - (I.) A right of appeal to the Court of Appeal from sentences passed on criminals by the Supreme Court : (2.) An extension of the functions of the Prisons Board : (3.) An extension of the term of a probationary license. 1920, No. 16.—The Masseurs Registration Act, 1920.—-This Act provides for the registration of masseurs. By section 2 the appointment of a Masseurs Registration Board, consisting of the Inspector-General of Hospitals, a person engaged in the practice of massage in New Zealand, and a registered medical practitioner, is provided for. Section 6 prescribes the qualifications required, to be possessed by applicants for registration. Section 10 provides for appeals against the decision of the Board in any case. Section 12 makes it an offence for any person not registered under the Act to describe himself as a masseur or massage expert, or to do anything that might lead any person to believe that he is registered under the Act. Section 14 provides that after two years from the commencement of the Act no unregistered person shall be employed as a masseur in any public hospital or other public institution. 1920, No. 17.—The Land and Income Tax (Annual) Act, 1920.—This Act fixes the rates of land-tax and income-tax (including special war-tax) for the financial year commencing on the Ist April, 1920. The rates so fixed are the same as for the last preceding financial year. 1920, No. 18— The Coroners Amendment Act, 1920.—This Act empowers the Governor-General in Council to prescribe the rates of payment for Coroners and others attending inquests. 1920, No. 19.—The Licensing Amendment Act, 1920.—Section 2 of this Act amends section 128 of the Licensing Act, 1908, restricting the removal of lapsed publicans' or accommodation licenses, by extending that section to New-Zealand-wine licenses and by making it applicable to licenses lapsing or ceasing to exist for any reason. Section 3 amends section 30 of the Licensing Amendment Act, 1910, prohibiting the granting of new publicans' licenses except in special cases, by extending the provisions of that section to accommodation, New-Zealand-wine, and wholesale licenses. 1920, No. 20.—The Imprest Supply Act, 1920 (No. 4).—This Act applies the sum of £3,131,500 out of the Public Account, and the sum of £40,400 out of other specified accounts, for the year ending 31st March, 1921. 1920, No. 21.—The Native Trustee Act, 1920.—This Act provides for the appointment of a Native Trustee, and makes better provision for the administration of Native reserves. All Native reserves vested in the Public Trustee are vested in the Native Trustee as from the commencement of this Act (Ist April, 1921), together with all contracts, engagements, and liabilities of the Public Trustee in respect of such reserves. All references to the Public Trustee in any Act or instrument with respect to Native reserves are deemed to be references to the Native "Trustee. With the consent of the Governor-General in Council the Native Trustee may accept special trusts in favour of Natives.