Suggestions of Reform.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 294, 4 May 1889, Page 2

Suggestions of Reform.

[TO THE SDITOn.I

Sib,—lt is evident that tha Supreme Court of this colony is overburdened with Court work. Many people consider this to be an accepted fact, especially those unfortunate suitors before the Law Courts whose purse and patience may have suffered through repeated adjournments in the legal actions in which they have been from time to time concerned. Probably the increase of the population demands the services of a more numerous judicial staff. Moat of the litigation in our Law Courts arises by or from questionable land “ titles ” or the conflict of the too numerous legislative enactments now extant in our statute law, With a view to belter facilitating the administration of the offices of the Courts, it might possibly be wise to grant the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court the powers of a Supreme Court Judge, and by constituting a Court of Appeal of Native Land Court Judges give them power to finally deal with all land disputes. I believe that the Supreme Court would thereby ba relieved of much tedious work, and I would add that the Native Land Court of Appeal could be so constituted as to give every chance for the proper adjustment of native land titles; moreover, the economy of such a measure would save a further addition to the Supreme Court staff for some time to come, and also save the country considerable Parliamentary judges' work. It is self evident that the officials of the Land Courts are able to exercise proper wisdom in the control of their own workunity in themselves and co-operation with the public would be better secured by other means than as at present in vogue. For instance a Native Land Court Judge is never secure to a district for any given time. It the worthy Judge gets to work and begins to understand a district, and affords satisfaction, he is liable to be shifted away by the Native Office. I have heard people often wonder why. It may be permitted; yet surely there must be an equitable means of affording some measure of relief to the reasonable desire of the fast increasing population of the North Island ?—I am, etc.,

Vox Nova.