THE NATIVE LAND COURT SITTING AT OPOTIKI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9432, 12 February 1894, Page 6

THE NATIVE LAND COURT SITTING AT OPOTIKI.

[FROM our OWN CORRESPONDENT.] A iter a long interval extending over some years, a sitting of the Native Land Courb was held at Opotiki on the 17th January, and lasted until the 3rd February. There were no papatipu— original claims for the investigation of title set down for hearing, the majority of the cases being in relation to the appointment of successors to deceased owners of real and personal property. The Court was held under the presidency of Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts, the Resident Magistrate for the district,, and Mr. Yates, a recently-appointed assessor. Some little while ago a movement was made to have the Court held at Te Kaha to meet the convenience of a large number of applicants resident in that vicinity. But it was found inconvenient to do so. There were other claims before the Court from applicants resident in an opposite direction extending beyond Whakatane. Altogether, under the circumstances, Opotiki was as centrally a situated place as could well have been chosen, it is thought that, considering the time at the disposal of Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts, an excellent amount of work was , got through, the natives showed more alacrity than they generally do in coming before the Court with their cases prepared. In this way much time was saved. Owing, however, to circumstances over which the Court had no control, much business thab could have been accomplished was unfortunately delayed. The general public, perhaps, are nob fully aware of the facbtbab this extra work imposed upon Resident Magistrates of doing Native Land Courb duty involves no extra remuneration, and not even the dignity of Judge. , They are called Recorders, In some native districts they are expected to do this very important; work in what is facetiously it i? supposed—their spare time. The Native Land Court work, it is well known, is of the very utmost importance to the colony, and it is the falsest of economy on the'part of any Government to attempt to impose double, aye, treble and quadruple duties on judicial officers presiding in a department already understaffed, and the subject.is worthy of consideration. The civil magisterial business of districts cannot *be neglected. In semi-native districts, situated like the Bay of Plenty, it is equally important that the Native Land Court business be nob neglected, as it has been here, for some years. At present only a hurried sitting of the Court has been held at Opotiki, although waited for for a long time. A number of. subdivision cases have been adjourned until the 14th instant, to come before Colonel Roberts, on the occasion of his periodical visit here in his magisterial capacity.. At the present time there is ho . absolute necessity as to what shall take place, the uncertainty being that LieutenantColonel Roberts may have to act as judge, | or rather Recorder, at Rotorua Court. . That is the position of things at the present time of writing (February 8). lb is needle?* to add that the progress of this district is seriously retarded by the uncertainty that overhangs, the movements of, the Native '-•' * ■ Land Court. — . v.. / ■'.?'■ .r ; v' ; : y-iv;^}