Objecting on Principle.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 520, 18 October 1890, Page 3

Objecting on Principle.

A case of an interesting nature came on in Court on Thursday morning. The Opotiki Road Board sued Captain Kennedy for 30s rates, in connection with a property which, though obtaining no benefit from it, the Captain has hitherto paid rates. But the supercilious attitude that appears to have been taken up by the clerk to the Road Board has nettled the defendant, who is confident that there is no legal claim against him. Instead cf making demand in the ordinary course a summons was sent, and this piece of sharp work has naturally been very displeasing to the recipient of the summons, who has now raised the plea that being a “ native ” in the meaning of the Act he is not liable. Mr L. Rees appeared for defendant, and the following evidence was taken : — Joseph Kennedy deposed : I am rated for lots 87 and 151 parish Waioeka. I am owner of 87 and trustee on behalf of my vife for 151. Demand has been made on me as owner to pay rates on these sections. lam a half caste. Natives Hira te Popa and his people together with my brother Netana are, and have been about three years, in occupation of section 87. Section 151 has been leased for three years to John Kepper. The lease was made during the present year. He has been in occupation for six or seven months, Before that it was in occupation of my wife’s mother and her people. They are natives. For twenty years I have been in occupation of this land (both sections) and have always paid the rates hitherto. . I object to pay now because demand has been made by summons. I now claim no liability under section 6 of section 1 of the Rating Act, 1882,