ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OP STATE.

23

A.—-Ko. 1.

Enclosure in No. 18. Memokanditm by Mr. Statfoed. Wellington, 27th November, 1868. Authenticated copies under the Seal of the Colony, of certain Acts passed by the New Zealand Legislature in its last Session, No. 24 and Sos. 63 to 92, and of a local and personal Act, are hereby submitted for transmission to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies. For His Excellency the Governor. E. W. Staffokd.

No. 63. The Marlborougli Waste Lands Act, repeals former Acts and Regulations relating to the sale and disposition of Waste Lands of the Crown in the Province of Marlborough, subject to existing contracts. No. 64. The Southland Waste Lands Act Amendment Act, 1867, is supplementary to " The Southland "Waste Lands Act, 1865," provides an appeal to the Supreme Court from the decisions of the Waste Lands Board in that Province, enables sales of land to religious bodies, for sites of churches, chapels, &c, authorizes yearly occupation leases for cutting timber and raising coal, improves the terms of leases of mineral lands, and gives to certain occupiers of lands in Stewart's Island which they have improved, pre-emptive rights therein. No. 65. The Volunteers Land Act Amendment Act, renders more clear the interpretation of the words " efficient volunteer," in " The Volunteers Land. Act, 1865." No. 66. The Orown Grants Amendment Act, makes felonies certain offences in the improper possession or use of the Seal provided by "The Crown Grants Act, 1866," for attaching the Governor's signature to grants, defines certain periods for the ante-vesting of legal estates in grantees, renders proceedings by writ of soire facias applicable to the repeal of Crown Grants, and validates the cancellation of certain grants of land of which new grants had been issued and recorded prior to the passing of the Act of 1866. No. 67. The Waste Lands Hoards Appeal Act. —Waste Lands Boards are required to determine questions frequently of great importance to the parties concerned. Their decisions have hitherto been final, which in some instances has been considered a hardship. This Act was passed to provide an appeal in such cases to the Supreme Court. It also avoids forfeiture of pastoral lease on nonpayment of rent, on payment thereof with a moderate penalty within three months. No. 68. The Gold Melds Act Amendment Act. —Difficulties having arisen respecting the exercise of the power of delegation to Superintendents of Provinces, of certain powers vested in the Governor for the management of Gold Fields, this Act was passed to enable the Governor to delegate such powers to the Executive Government of any Province in which by any Act or Ordinance it is provided that the Superintendent shall in the administration of the government thereof act by and with the advice and consent of an Executive Council, subject to certain conditions. No. 69. The Gold Fields Act Amendment Act (No. 2), removes some difficulties in. the practice of Wardens' Courts, as to the mode of appointing and summoning assessors, challenges and penalties, and confirms certain rules as to the cutting, construction, and use of water races. No. 70. The Olacjo Gold Fields Judicial Officers Act, makes specific provision out of Gold Fields Revenues, for the maintenance of certain Judicial Officers on the 0 lago Gold Fields : —For Eight Wardens, £2,325 per annum ; Twelve Clerks, £2,900 per annum. No. 71. The Nelson Cobden and Westport Railway Act Amendment Act, authorizes the Superintendent in any contract for the construction of the railway, to agree that, when complete, it shall be granted or leased to the contractor upon such terms as shall be authorized by an Act of the Provincial Council. No. 72. The Auckland and Drury liailway Act. —"The Auckland and Drury Railway Act, 1863," authorized-the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland to make and maintain a railway which has been commenced, but for the completion whereof the funds available have been found insufficient. In order to enable a variation of the line of railway and to procure the completion thereof, this Act authorizes the Superintendent and Provincial Council, by Act, to authorize the disposing by mortgage, sale or lease of the railway, or the lands abutting on the railway, being portion of the Harbour Endowment of the Auckland Harbour. No. 73. The Commissioners Powers Act. —This Act was passed to enable Commissioners appointed by the Governor in Council to summon witnesses, to compel their attendance, and to examine them upon oath. No. 74. The Governor's Delegations Act, enables the Governor in Council, and tinder his hand and the Public Seal of the Colony to delegate to the Executive Government of any Province under such limitations as he may think fit, all or any of the powers vested in the Governor or Governor in. Council, and which by any Act or Ordinance may be delegated to the Superintendent of a Province, or to any person or persons, by the Governor or Governor in Council. No. 75. The British-Australasian Mail Services Act. —In consequence of a Despatch addressed on the 22nd September, 1866, by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors of the several Australian Colonies, announcing that notice had been given for the termination of the existing contract for the conveyance of the Mails between Point de Galle and Sydney, and inviting these Colonies in combination, to provide for this service in future, a conference was held in Melbourne in March, 1867, at which were present representatives of the Australasian Governments (excepting Western Australia) for the discussion of the whole question of Ocean Postal Communication with them. At this conference certain resolutions were unanimously adopted. Thin Act was passed to authorize the Governor in Council, on behalf of this Colony, subject to certain modifications, to confirm the arrangement made at the conference to concur in making provision for the admission of the Colony of Western Australia to the benefits of the contract, and in ease of that Colony declining or contributing to supplement the deficiency of £3,000 to make up the sum of £200,000, moiety of £400,000, the estimated cost of the services agreed