JUDGES APPOINTED.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2112, 1 April 1914, Page 7

JUDGES APPOINTED.

NATIVE LAND COURT. DISTRICTS

, A supplement to the "-Gazette" issued yesterday defines anew the Nativo Land Court Districts. By this proclamation the Dominion is divided into seven districts—six in tho' North Island and one in the South. Tho North Island Native Land Court districts are named tho Tokevau (roughly from Auckland northwards, including tho Great Barrier Island), Waiariki (roughly from Auckland to Lake Taupo); Tairawhiti {East Coast), Aotea (Hawkc's Bay to tlio Oroua- River); Ikaroa (from Waiariki and'Aotea boundaries to tho north to tho sea on. the south-oast, south mid west); Waikato-Maniapoto (roughly Wanganui, Tarniiaki, and part of the Waikato); South Island (South, Stewart, and Chatham Islands). Tho various districts aro outlined in detail in a schedule attached to the proclamation. Tho Judges appointed aro as follow: —Tokorau, Judge T. H. Wilson; Wai-kato-Maniarjoto, Judge A. G, Holland; Waiariki, .Judge James Browne; Tairawhiti, Judge R. N. Jones; Aotea, Judge J. B. Jack; Ikaroa, Judge M. Gilfedder; South Island, Judge, 'M.' Gilfedder. The registrars appointed to the various districts are:—Tokerau, Mr. G. N. Grinstone; Waikato-Manianoto, Mr. E. P. Earlo; Waiariki, Mr. W. Swanson (deputy); Tairawhiti, Mr. H. H. Carr; Aotea, Mr. A. H. Mackay; Ikaroa, Mr • L. A. B. Teutenberg. South Island, Mr. E. A. Welch. .

JOHNSONVILLE ELECTION

TOWN BOARD SEAT.

.' A by-election for a vacancy on tho Johnsonville Town Boardwas held yesterday.' There were two candidates for the seat, , Messrs. H. C. Skinner and John Wheeler. The voting was in favour of the former, who was elected by a majority of 38 votes. The voting was as. follows:—

H. C. Skinner John. Wheeler

Total

.... 76

"BEST THANKS;"

MR. NOSWORTHY & CONSTITUENTS

(By • Telegraph.-Pross Association.)

' , .Timaru, March 31. ~ Mr. Nosworthy, M.P. for Ashburton, addressed tho electors at tho Goraldino Vchiuteer Hall last night. There was 'a .large attendance. Mr. Nosworthy spoko strongly in, favour of the Governmont, and.dealt at length with the Upper House, tho Public Service, naval defence, the late strike, the coming general election, and tho Bible in schools. A motion of "best. thanks" was carried, as against an amendment of "ho confidence in Mr. Nosworthy."

SEAMEN'S UNION AFFAIRS. ■ ' - —-«—_— ■

PENDING LITIGATION.

■The.Wellington branch of the Seamen s Federation, through, its actinesecretary (Mr. R. Smithyraan), is ap,{&™e to ■the Chief Justice (Sir Robert b.tout) on Friday for ; a declaratory judgment on a proposed election , which is- being taken by the Otago branch. ; 'Speaking to ,a reporter.yesterday, Mr. omrthyrdan aaid that this-course was being adopted on tho advico ol Sir John.Findlay, as the branch was being .asked to take a-" part (not yet made-pub-lic) in; ■)vhajy i .jvgfs .-.considered .to.be an act against tte-rules-of the- Federation. ■ -The declaratory judgment (said Mr. bmithymaii) was being,obtained in regard to .the. legality of-having an election, at this stage. ; Tie niles provide that .nominations 'shall bo. received' by the secretary not later than the second meeting night in December, and the ballot shall' remain open till the second meeting night in February. ■ The rules are mandatory on this point, aiid there is no clause, as far as can be ascertained, permitting any Auckland, Wellington, or Dunedin branch to depart from this point. At present it is provided that the members of each section of the Federation are entitled to nominate candidates ior the various offices, to each' and every section, and to.vote for the election of such candidates, but no provision is made for an election of a purely local nature. •

The litigation has been deemed sary'by the fact that Mr. W. Belcher,! who is at present, the general secretary of the Federation, proposes to take a sectional vote in Otago, for the position of local secretary, carrying- with it' the position of general secretary. Tho ballot for this closes on April 16, and it is only permissablo for members of the Dunedin branch to vote. It is claimed that this course is illegal. The..two candidates for election are Messrs. W. Belcher and Mr. D. Maxwell. As Mr. Belcher at present holds the position of secretary, there appears (says Mr. Smithymah) to be no necessity for th« election, and, jf it is being held {o settle any legal difference, the Wellington branch, is of opinion that no steps in this way can be taken. If tho vacancy existed the executive could take steps to hold an election.

Mr.- Belcher arrives in Wellington this morning. ■