A.—lo.

1874. NEW ZEALAND.

IS DISQUALIFICATION ACT APPLICABLE TO MEMBERS ACTING AS CORONERS? (OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL).

Presented to both Houses of General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. No. 1. The Hon. the Minister of Justice to the Attorney-General. Members of the Assembly sometimes, in the absence of Coroners, act as Coroners by virtue of their being Justices of the Peace. Tho Disqualification Act of 1870, section 5, applies to offices to which " salary, fees, wages, allowance, emolument, or profit of any kind is attached." Is this applicable to persons holding the office of Justice of the Peace (to which no salary attaches), in the event of their acting as Coroners and accepting the statutory fee of £2 2s. ? 28th July, 1874. G. M. O'Rorke.

No. 2. The Attorney-General to the Hon. the Minister of Justice. I think that Justices acting as Coroners and taking the fee allowed by law are not disqualified. No profit is attached to the office of Justice of the Peace, and they are not appointed Coroners by the Governor; but by law, without appointment, act as Coroners. 24th August, 1874. J. Prendergast. By Authority: Geobge Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB74. Price 3d.]