The Short Title of this Act is “The Westport-Ngakawau Railway Extension Act Amendment Act, 1897.”

With respect to the liability which by section six of “The Westport-Ngakawau Railway Extension Act, 1890,” is imposed on the holders of the therein-mentioned coal-mining leases to bear and pay the therein-mentioned deficiency, the following provisions shall apply:—

The Governor, if the Westport Harbour Board so requests, may grant to any such holder time, not exceeding two years from the date of the commencement of this Act, for the payment of all moneys owing by such holder in respect of such deficiency up to the passing of this Act, and for that purpose may arrange to accept payment thereof by such instalments and at such periodical intervals as the Governor thinks reasonable.

At the like request, the Governor may release any such holder from all liability in respect of any such deficiency arising subsequent to the thirty-first day of March, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, upon being satisfied that such holder has raised sufficient capital to properly develop its coal-mine and vigorously carry on coal-mining operations therein.

No relief granted under this Act by the Governor to any such holder shall in any way operate to increase the liability by the aforesaid section six imposed on any other holder.

Within ten days after any relief has been granted under this Act by the Governor the Colonial Treasurer shall lay before both Houses of Parliament, if in session, or, if not, then within ten days after the commencement of the next-ensuing session thereof, a statement setting forth the nature and extent of the relief so granted, the terms and conditions subject to which it was granted, and, in the case of relief under subsection two of section two hereof, the particulars of the arrangements made for raising sufficient capital as therein prescribed.

The aforesaid Act is hereby modified in so far as it conflicts with this Act.