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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3933, 15 June 1877, Page 2

We received yesterday a copy of the Native Lands .Bill proposed to be introduced in the House next session. "We have not had time, as yet, to master its provisions. It applies, of course, mainly to land not yet through the Court, There are, however, several points where it bears on hauls leased to Europeans. Clause 120, for instance, provides means for getting certificates of title issued under the 17lh .section of the Native Lands Act, 1867, converted into Crown grants should the native owners desire it. A good many Hawke's Bay properties are held under these certificates. This is good in intention. The clause, however, as at present worded, enables the Court to deal with an application for such conversion as if it were an original application. The Court might tints decide that some of the lessees were not in the grant at all. This will have to be altered. Under clause 117, and the following clauses, the Court may entertain applications to do away with other restrictions or alienability. Clauses SO and 81 are of importance; they provide machinery by which the interests of minors can be sold, due provision against injustice being taken. At present, of course, these interests can only be leased. The general purport of the bill is to abrogate the legislation of 1873 and to go back to the old Act of 1865. It bears many traces of Mr Fcnton's handiwork, especially in the very large powers which it confers on the Chief Judge. In the matter of re-hearings there is a step taken in the right direction. The rehearing of »,. cast; already heard must take 'place before at least two judges, so that we cannot have a repetition of the Mangaorapa farce, in which the decision of an old and experienced officer Avas upset by a comparatively inexperienced junior in the service. One rehearing-, moreover, will decide the case finally.'"' We .shall have to revert to the subject shortly.