Chapman for the respondent: There is nothing in the terms of the Act of 1883 to indicate the intention to depart from the constitutional principle that an Act is not be construed as retrospective, unless they clearly and conclusively lead to that inference. Reg v. Vino (UR., *lO Q.B. 195); Reg v. Smythiea (Mac. N.Z.), The presumption that the Act is to be retrospective must be so strong that the Court is absolutely concluded by its terms. Perry v. Skinner (2 M. & W, 471). The Laud Board did not direct its at tention to breaches after the Bth September, and did not find them. There is nothing in the Act of 1883, showing that the Legislature in tended to attach these conditions to existing licenses. The authorities show that the mere grammar of the clause is not a final guide to the Court a* to whether the Act is to be retrospective ; Moon and Durden (übi. sup.). Where the Act relates to procedure merely the Court is iu like manner not bound by grammatical expression apparently intended to apply to the future only ; Paxton v, Butler (N.Z.L.R., 1 S.C, 344). On the general rule of construction as to retrospective enactments; Moon v. Durden (übi. sup.) ; Wright v. Hall (G H. and N. 227) ; Kinbray v. Draper (L.R., 3 Q.B. 160) ; Pardoe v. Bingham (UR., 4 Ob, 735) ; Maxwell on Statutes, 193. As to the Act of 1834, it was passed on the Sth November. The appeal was pending before the Act was passed. The sittings of the Court of Appeal began on the 3rd of November, as the certificate of judgment will bear that date. The first paragraph of sec, 4 does not give a retrospective effect to tho Act of 1883, ex capt iu so far as it relates to procedure. Reference can be made to the Bill of 1884, as introduced and passed in the House of Repre sentatives, C. and G, (UR,, 1 P. and D., 640.) (The Acting-Chief Justice : That case is no authority, and I think we cannot look at the Bill.) It is no argument that the Legislature has enacted a meaningless clause. Maxwell on Statutes, 16 ; Green v. Wood (7 Q-B». N.S. 178), Qoe v. Garew (2 Q.fe., N.S. 