Native Land Commission.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 463, 5 June 1890, Page 2

Native Land Commission.

At the Native tyand Commissioner's enquiry on Tuesday various informal objections wars put in by the natives, the burden of ths Comnlaints being that inadequate remuneration had been received. Mr Skeet pointed out that during the course of the ease before the other Courts the fairness of the purchases bad not been questioned, and It was hardly right thay should be called upon sullenly in that fashion to answer objections as to value. Tha President of the Commission said though the objections were informal he would accept them, and Mr Bkeet could bring evidence bearing upon them at a later stage in the nrooeedings—they could hold weight only so fir as they want to prove the consideration had been so inadequate as to indiiata fraud. It was decided to give tha ncives until Wednesday morning to lay objections in proper form, The evidence of Mr Arthur was taken. He said no objection had ever been made as to the fairness of purchases —it was in regard to the subdivision that certain natives had taksn exception. AU the natives whose names were attached to the lease bad received money personally or upon orders from them —Lieut.* Colonel Potter gave evidence as to the purchase of shares for Mrs Porter, and the defining of the same by tbe Land Court. No objections had ever bean made to tbe awards. The Native Land Commission resumed its enquiry into the Tokomaru case yesterday morning. The President (Judge Edwards) said tha Commission would probably adjourn until the 16th June, so as to give Mr Howarth and airpa rries a better chance to be prepared. His Honor gave the final ruling in regard to the interests of natives who had died. It would not be necessary for the applicant to go to tbe Land Court, but he must satisfy tha Commission that every reasonable means had been taken to get notices served upon those who were likely to be successors. Mr Bkeet pointed ont that it would be very difficult to do anything that way without assistance from the other side. His Honor said as long as the Commission were satisfied that reasonable efforts had been made it would be sufficient. Mr Skeet pointed oat that tbe husband of one woman (now dead) was in Court, and permission was granted to examine him. He had banded in an objection, and from his evidence it apneared he had been led to believe that the Land Court had granted some of his land to Mr Arthur as well as that which hid been sold by his wife. On Mr Watson's application the objectors were allowed until Monday next to pay tbe fees. He said that tbe objections had been drawn up in form for tbe natives, but with the exception of two they ha 1 failed to put in an appearance in time to sign. If until Monday were allowed for the payment of fees there would be a number of other objections. His Honor asked did not Mr Watson think that when the natives did not bother about going to sign the forms they were simply treating the Court with contempt in making objections which they did not trouble to sign when put In order? Mr Watson acknowledged that His Honor's view seemed the correct one, but he had done all he oould in the matter. His Honor felt convinced that there was no fault on Mr Watson's part. As to the adjournment Mr Bkeet said that it would he awkward for Mr Arthur to adjourn until Monday week, as hs wished to attend his Parliamentary duties. His Honnr pointed out that Mr Skeet would require all that time to get the notices to successors duly served. If Mr Skeet pressed the point he would fix tha ninth, but he would have to take tbe consequences concerning the shares of deoeased persons. Mr Skeet said it would be better to leave the point until the morning. After general evidence had been taken the Commission adjourned until this morning, when it will be announced wheJflk the further adjournment is to be until ortho 16th. Mr Taiwhanga informs us tMV Mr Howarth has telegraphed that the ft* will suit him, and it will probably be adopted.