THE NATIVE DEPARTMENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Issue 277, 21 July 1882, Page 4

THE NATIVE DEPARTMENT.

Mr.. Brvce (says the Auckland Herald's "tVellington correspondent) is making sweeping changes in the Native Department, and ho intends to carry out his intention, stated when he took office, to abolish the department. He has kept this object steadily in view since his appointment to the Ministry, and now, I understand, he sees his way to accomplish tho work to which he set himself. Tho services of all the Native officers will very soon be dispensed with, and one or two Native agents" only will be employed for perhaps a year or two. An officer at present in the service will be transferred to Auckland, and will have charge of a very extended district, including the Waikato and the Thames. A small addition will be made to the salaries of the Resident Magistrates, and the Government ■will obtain its native information from these officers. Nothing definite has yet been done in regard to the officer for the Auckland district. I hear that Mr. Rennell, of New Plymouth, ia to be removed Wellington, to fill a vacancy in the Native Reserves Department. Captain Preece, Native Officer at Napier, has been appointed Resident Magistrate, and no one will be appointed ( to-the office vacated, which will be abolished after all the changes have been made. I hear that only Native officers will be retained in the North Island. During the recess, the department will be almost wholly abolished. Judge Fenton is expected from Auckland on Sunday next. Amongst other matters, the question, of the removal of r the Native Land Court from Auckland to Wellington will be again considered, but it is unlikely that Mr. Bryce will alter his previous decision.