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No. 23. New Zealand, No. 344. Government House, Wellington, 15th December, 1922. My Lord Duke, — With reference to my despatch, No. 76, of the 22nd March, I have the honour to transmit to Your Grace the accompanying synopsis, prepared by the Hon. the Attorney-General, of the Acts passed during the fourth session of the Twentieth Parliament of New Zealand, together with the Acts, duly authenticated with the Seal of the Dominion. I have, &c, JELLICOF, Governor-General. His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, K.G., P.C., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.0., &c, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Synopsis of Acts passed by 'nit: General Assembly of New Zealand during the Session ENDED ON THE IST DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1922. 1922, No. I. The Imprest Supply Act, 1922.- This Act applies the sum of £3,013,800 out of the Public Account, and the sum of £36,300 out of other specified accounts, for the financial year ending the 31st March, 1923. 1922, No. 2. Tin' Imprest Supply Act, 1922 (No. 2). This Act applies the sum of £2,989,050 out of the I'nblie, Account, and the sum of £110,400 out of other specified accounts, for the financial year ending the, 31st March, 1923. 1923, No. 3. Tin- Land-tax (Annual) Act, 1922. This Act fixes the rates at which land-tax shall be assessed, levied, and paid for the year commencing on the Ist April, 1922. 1922, No. 1. The Local Bodies' Loans Amendment Act, 1922.— This Act amends in various particulars the Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1913. By section 5 local authorities are authorized, without the consent of ratepayers, to borrow money for the purpose of providing relief works for unemployed. Sections 7 and 8 make special provisions with respect to loans raised by local authorities for the purpose of extinguishing their antecedent liabilities within the meaning of the Local Bodies' Finance Act, 1921 22. . 1922, No. 5. -The Land Drainage Amendment Act, 1922. This Act amends in various particulars the Land Drainage Act, 1908. Most of the amendments are in the nature of machinery provisions. The most important of the other provisions an- contained in section 7, which- withrespect to districts in which rates are levied on a graduated scale fixes the number of votes exercisable by any ratepayer at elections or polls according to the value of his lands as determined in the manner provided by the section, according to the classification of such lands ; section 8, which provides that a person on the ratepayers' roll of a district shall not bo entitled to vote if his lands are exempt from payment of rates; section 12, which makes special provision as to the maximum rate that may be levied in districts where rates are levied on a graduated scale; and sectioD 21, which authorizes the, Governor-General to confer on any Drainage Board such of the powers of a River Board as he thinks fit. 1922, No. 6. -The Naval Defence Amendment Act, 1922. This Act makes various amendments of the Naval Defence Act, 1913, for the purpose of facilitating the working of that Act. Section 3 amends section 10 of the principal Act as to tire period of enlistment of tiny person in the Naval Forces. Section 5 confers on the Governor-General additional power to make regulations, and section (i authorizes him to delegate to the Minister of Defence or to any officer or officers of the New Zealand Naval Forces certain of the powers conferred on him by sections 17 and 20 of the principal Act. 1922, No. 7. -The Tariff Agreement (New Zealand and Australia) Ratification Act, 1922.--This Act ratifies a tariff agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia made on the 11th April, 1922. 1922, No. 8. The Surveyors' Institute and Board of Examiners Act, 1922— This Act amends the Surveyors' Institute and Board of Examiners Act, 1908. The Surveyor-General is made Chairman of the Board. The main object of the Act is to bring into the, principal Act the provisions of the Land Act, 1908, and the Land Transfer Act, 1915, as to regulations governing surveys of land for the purpose of those Acts, and to widen the power of making regulations conferred on the Board by the principal Act, thus ensuring more efficient control and conduct of survey operations. The schedule provides an increased scale of fees for surveyors' licenses. 1922, No. 9.—The Rotorua Borough Act, 1922.—This Act constitutes the Borough of Rotorua and repeals the Rotorua Town Act, 1907. There art; certain special provisions in this Act rendered necessary by the Crown's interests in Rotorua, which distinguish the borough from other boroughs. By section 4 the Borough Council is to consist of six members, four to be elected and two to be appointed by the Governor-General, to hold office during his pleasure. By section 7 the Tourist Department retains control of the borough until the first elected Councillors come into office. Sections Bto 10 make special provision as to the vesting of certain drainage-works. By section 15

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