DAYLIGHT IN THE NATIVE OFFICE.

Manawatu Times, Volume IX, Issue 1129, 10 December 1883, Page 2

DAYLIGHT IN THE NATIVE OFFICE.

TO THE EDITOR. The advent of complete justice into the Native Lands Courts of N.Z. by the decision al Judge Brookiield at Waipawa,at the sittings of the Native Lands' Court, m that place, oy his just decisions whilst subdividing the Mungawharu Block, and m reference to inducing natires to sign a second sale of the same land, " is fraudulent and punishable by law ;" and the issning;- of the circular by the Hon. John Bryce to all the licensed native interpreters last month, will establish for ever m N. Z. that proceedance of justice that was completely lost sight of by many lawyers and. interpreters m N. Z. . . . I have fought for this just prin« ciple for years, and am rewarded with the satisfaction I feel that jus~ tice predominates, and a record made m our statute books that two brave honest men have stemmed the stream •>f injustice against so much opposition. I now propose to answer the question put to me by certain Pair merston gentlemen — What would prevent the natives selling, their land twice over and them from purchasing, it ? I say the fear: of the law, and I • refer you to the decision of J"ndge Brookfield at Waipawa and to the circular issued by the Hon. John: Bryce. The last named gentleman will be justly entitled to the name by which he is already known, " Honest John Bryce," and will be remembered with more honor than knighthood conla possibly bestow, for the acts of injustice to they natives m N.Z. have involved us into more serious disasters than are generally known. The , Waitara purchase iv 1859 from one third of the owners of the block was the chief cause of the war extending over four 'years, 1860 to 1865. That war caused a loss of 778 Europeans and 820 Maoris, whilst every Maori killed cost the Government £3,560. I conld say -much more on this subject to show the disastrous re--1 suits of wrong doing but for the ! present I cannot trespass further on your space. lam, &c, Amos Bubr.