THE OWHAOKO SCANDAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8062, 8 January 1887, Page 5

THE OWHAOKO SCANDAL.

[By Telegraph.] [from our own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. It has been suggested by this morning’s N.Z. Times, which publishes Mr Fenton’s version of the Owhaoko scandal, that a fresh Parliamentary enquiry should be insisted upon by the Government. This, however, I am at liberty to state, is not likely to take place. The Government are perfectly satisfied with the report of the Select Committee on the matter last session, and they do not intend to propose any further Parliamentary action, especially as Mr Fenton is no longer a judicial officer. It is considered that no practical result could follow a further investigation into Mr Fenton’s action under the circumstanct s, except in so far as his pension is concerned, and that is deemed a question more for the consideration of the Legislature than for the Government. The Premier’s original memorandum set forth that the decisions were bad in law and unjust to the Natives. The Committee took a similar view, and recommended that a Bill should be passed protecting the interests of the lessees. That Bill was introduced by the Native Minister in terms of the Committee’s recommendation, and carried through all its stages. It placed about 200,000 acres of land in the position of Native lands again, to be dealt with by the Court, and adjudicated upon in accordance with the evidence. The question of the judicial misconduct of the Judges and the professional misconduct of the lawyer engaged in the case, was settled by that Committee, who exonerated Judge Fenton, but, by implication, censured Dr Buller. Dr Duller has since denied the allegations of Judge Fenton, and the Government consider that the matter must now be left to public opinion, after the publication of the correspondence, to decide who is right. It will be seen, firstly, that Sir Robert’s memorandum has been verified by the recommendation of the Committee and the action of the Legislature; secondly, that the censure contained therein has had new light thrown upon it by the remarkable letter from Judge Ponton, published by Dr Boiler. Alluding to the Owhaoko scandal tonight, the Post says:—“ Mr Fenton has appealed to the public of New Zealand as between himself and Sir W. Buller. The verdict of the said public, we believe, might be summed up in two words, arcades ambo. As ho say#, the public know them both well, and, according to thatknowledge, will probably agree that there is precious little to choose between them, and that corroborative evidence would be generally required before any decided preference would be exhibited for the word of either.’