certificate of the Attorney-General. (4) The Wills Act, by repealing sec. 37 of that Act and substituting a new one relating to gifts to children predeceasing the testator leaving issue, whereby the gift takes effect whether death occurs before or after the making of the will. (5) The Assignments and Preferences Act, by adding a new sub-section, to sec. 27 of that Act, whereby the assignee may intervene and force the prosecution of an action brought prior to assignment against the assignor. (6) The Local Improvement Act, by enabling a majority in value of the owners of any land specially assessed for a proposed local improvement, to petition the Ontario Railway and Municipal Board for relief. (7) The Theatres and Cinematographs Act, by numerous amendments and new provisions for the better regulation of these places of amusement.

The Land Titles Act is amended by ch. 24 in several particulars, the most important of which relate to registrations and proceedings dealing with tax sale titles, and enabling a purchaser at such a sale to lodge a caution.

The most important and outstanding piece of new or original legislation in 1914 Statutes is unquestionably the Workmen's Compensation Act, ch. 25. It is the result of several years of research and careful study, as well as of public investigation on the part of our distinguished jurist, Sir William Meredith, Chief Justice of Ontario, who was specially commissioned by the Government to draft the Bill. It undoubtedly represents the most advanced, well considered and approved legislation on the subject to be found in any country, and it greatly redounds to the credit of the Provincial Legislature that Ontario should be the first province in this Dominion and among the first two or three legislatures on this Continent, to place upon a statute book such a farreaching and progressive measure. Socialistic and paternal as it may seem in its tendencies, it is nevertheless an instance of the growing humanitarianism of our times, under the compelling influences of modern civilization and Christianity.

In its earlier and contentious phases, the draft measure was the subject of lengthy, keen and critical discussion by representatives of the parties most intimately affected by its provisions. Other classes only indirectly affected appeared before the Commissioner to justify their claim for special consideration. Here it is worthy of more than passing comment that, although no legislative measure for many years

has more seriously threatened to affect the practice and income of the legal profession in this province, yet no word of protest was heard from it or any of its members, and in thus sacrificing their pecuniary interests to the public weal, they have not only placed their stamp of approval on the measure, but they have at the same time given a meritorious example of their loyal and patriotic devotion to the State and displayed a commendable desire to promote its highest welfare.

Germany was the pioneer in this legislative field and the principle of its enactment is in the main adopted in our present Statute, but certain features of other foreign legislation on the subject, together with many new and original provisions, have been engrafted into it.

The basic principle of the Act is one practically of insurance to workmen, as well against injuries sustained, as also against certain industrial diseases contracted in the course of employment. The old legal formulae, "contributory negligence," "common employment" and such like defences are done away with, and the rights of workmen to compensation are hereafter to be governed by the provisions of this Act, where applicable, in lieu of all the former rights of action, statutory or otherwise, to which they or their dependents were entitled against their employers.

Contractual waiver of rights, assignment of compensation, deduction of wages or contribution to an indemnity fund by workmen is prohibited.

"Accident" is defined to include a wilful and intentional act not being the act of the workman, and a fortuitous event occasioned by a physical or natural cause.

"Workman" does not include an "outworker," or person not working on the premises under the control or management of the employer, nor does it include those engaged in clerical work and not exposed to the hazards of employment.

To participate in the benefits, the workman must be disabled for at least seven days from his full earning power, and the accident must not be attributable solely to his serious and wilful misconduct. In the case of death or serious disablement, however, his dependents or he himself, as the case may be, are or is entitled to participate, notwithstanding his misconduct.

Part 2 of the Act provides a remedy by action for workmen not falling within the general scheme of the Act, some of the former defences being now no longer available.

Provision is made for notice of accident, as well as of waiver thereof in the discretion of the Board under certain contingencies, for medical examinations, for the appointment by the Board of a medical referee, and for enabling the Board to require an employer, individually liable to compensate, to insure his workmen.

A scale of compensation is included, based on the earning power of the individual workman.

The Workmen's Compensation Board is constituted of three members as a body corporate, and their tenure of office is during good behaviour, but they may be removed at any time for cause. Upon attaining the age of 75, their appointment lapses. Any two commissioners constitute a quorum and the Board is invested with the powers of the Supreme Court for compelling the attendance and examination of witnesses and the production of documentary or other evidence.

The jurisdiction of the Board is exclusive within its domain and its decisions are not subject to review in any Court.

The Board is also empowered to award a reasonable sum, presumably in the nature of costs, to a successful party to a contested claim. Its orders may be enforced in like manner as a judgment of the Court.

To assist in defraying expenses of administration, provision is made for the payment to the Board of the sum of $100,000 by the Government.

The Act further provides for the creation and maintenance of an accident fund and divides the employers and industries affected into two broad classifications, schedules of which are appended to the Act, as also a schedule of industrial diseases, power being granted to the Board from time to time to re-arrange or supplement the same.

One schedule of employers or industries embraces what is generally known as Public Utilities, such as steam, electric and street railways, telephone, telegraph, express and navigation companies; all other employers or industries fall within the other classification.

The former class is made individually liable to pay the compensation awarded by the Board; the latter contributes to the accident fund, out of which the Board makes payments.

The Act expressly provides that it shall not apply to farm labourers or domestic or menial servants or their employers, and it also repeals the Workmen's Compensation for Injuries Act, ch. 146 R. S. O. 1914, and it is to be brought into effect on a day fixed by proclamation. Since the passing of the Act the proclamation has been issued bringing it into force on January 1st, 1915.

The administration of this Act will undoubtedly be marked with many difficulties in the practical working out of its provisions, as has occurred in the case of similar legislation in other countries, and will be watched with close interest not only by those intimately affected, but also by the country at large.

The Ontario Companies' Act is amended by ch. 29, by enabling an aggrieved shareholder to apply to a Judge of the Supreme Court for investigation and relief in cases where a shareholder or a class of shareholders is or has been unfairly dealt with by the majority.

The Ontario Insurance Act is amended by ch. 30, by considerable amendments and supplementary provisions. Hereafter where a company undertakes automobile insurance, the authorized capital stock shall not be less than $100,000, of which $75,000 must be subscribed, and not less than $20,000 paid up thereon. The word "agent" is also specially defined and provision made for his certification and otherwise.

An amendment also appears requiring underwriters' agencies transacting insurance business within the province to take out a license therefor. Every policy so issued must bear the name of the principal, guaranteeing or managing company in a conspicuous manner.

New legislation also appears in the Hydro-Electric Railway Act 1914, ch. 31, which enables a corporation or two or more corporations, upon being authorized by the LieutenantGovernor in Council so to do, to enter into an agreement with the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario for the construction, equipment and operation of an electric railway to be operated by electrical power or energy supplied by the Commission. The funds for the purpose are to be provided by the issue of bonds by the Commission chargeable against the undertaking, the debentures of the corporations interested being deposited as collateral security for the payment of the bonds, and neither the province nor the Commission being liable for the payment thereof, except to the extent of the

moneys received by the Commission from the municipal corporations. A by-law for the purpose, with the agreement attached, shall be submitted to the electors of the municipalities concerned for ratification.

The Municipal Amendment Act 1914, ch. 33, comprises the usual annual grist of amendments to this complicated Act, too intricate to refer to in detail.

The Public Utilities Act is amended by ch. 35, prohibiting the sale of gas containing sulphuretted hydrogen.

The Liquor License Act is amended by ch. 37, by imposing further restrictive and regulative provisions upon the trade and for the better administration of the law.

The Employment Agencies Act, ch. 38, provides, under penalties for infraction, for the licensing by the Provincial Treasurer of such agencies. Where more than one office is maintained by any agency, a license must be taken out for each one. Regulations may also be made by the LieutenantGovernor in Council governing the conduct of such business and for other purposes. The Act also comes into force upon proclamation of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council.

The Ticket Speculation Act, ch. 39, prohibits under penalties speculative dealings in tickets of admission to theatres and other stated places of amusement, exception being made in certain specified cases.

The Fire Marshals Act, ch. 41, provides for the appointment of an officer known as the Fire Marshal to be appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, together with such subordinate officers and assistants as may be required. The officer is authorized, among other things, to investigate the cause, origin and circumstances of every fire occurring in Ontario by which the property of His Majesty or of any person, has been destroyed or damaged and so far as possible determine whether such fire was the result of carelessness or design.

We cannot close this chapter of our report without referring to the irreparable loss the Legislature and the province, as well as Canada and the Empire at large, have suffered during the year through the death of Sir James Whitney, Premier of the province for the past decade.

Vigorous, progressive, even radical, though unsympathetic towards certain popular movements, such as Prohibition, Single Tax and Female Suffrage, he has left the indelible imprint of his forceful character and principles upon the