The Native Land Court.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 318, 29 June 1889, Page 2

The Native Land Court.

[to qniron.' Sin,—The leading artlo!e~'Wutsh♦nneared in this morning’s issue (Thursday,’ June 27) had for its text “Behind the times,” and for its aubject “The Native Land Court Department.” That your subject naeds reforming there are few to dispute. Increased efficiency could well be attained with a considerable saving to the Treasery. For the present state of things tbs Native department is mainly responsible. It is, however, with your strictures on Chief Judge Seth Smith that I desire to offer a few worda. I can quite understand that gentleman refusing to allow the withdrawal of an application for relaising, or being unable to fix a date for hearing these applications. The explanation is to be found In Section 24 of “The Native Laud Court Act 1886 Amaadment Act, 1888,’ 1 from which it will be seen that It is only the Chief Judge sitting In open court who caq det'-rmlue thasa applications. He may diamiss tho application or ordsr the rehearing. Ha has no power to appoint a Deputy, or to grant the withdrawal of the application other, wise than in open court. With respect to tho fifty applications received at Giaborno office, we may fairly reckon two thirds more at tho other offices, This ought to be a sufficient reason for the Chief Judge not being able to at once determine when he will hold hia court in Gisborne. As the Inconvenfeuoes complained of ate attributable to the law, and as your strictures are I think untenable, do you not think, Mr Editor, that you should make the amende honomble ?—I am, etc., E. F. H*bwb. P.S. It I am right iu my conjecture, your Informant as to the application to withdraw being refused, was not M candid as he should have been. That application was made after the rehearing had been granted, and _ 1 after a fight of two or three days iu court. V [Anything coming from such a high **■ authority on nativ« matters m Mr Ilarrit is certain to carry great weight, and if wt have been unjust to the Chief Judge we are glad of the Oorreotion, As the letter received rMhov lata, we shall take another opportunity ef t-vferrlug to it.—aio.j . -s