WANGANUI.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 18

WANGANUI.

Owing to tho continued ill-health of Judge Ward, of the Nat ive Band Court, tho business of that insHtntion is practically at a standstill, although Judge -Scannclt came to Wanganui and opened the Court mi Monday week. It seems he is due at Danovirkeut the end of the monsh, and will only lie ablo to deal with a lew minor matters wlnlst in Wanganui, as it would bo no uso making a start on any ot tho important cases awaiting investigation and decision, as they will each occupy some weeks of the Court s time, i be Natives complain that they have been brought long distances, in very bad weather, to attend the Court, only to find it closed, and great uncertainty as to when it will open for the hearing _ of their cases. Meantime they are idling tlioir timo away and consuming their food when they would ho more profitably employed preparing ground for cropping and other necessary agricultural operations. Tho want of another Native Land Court Judge is very keenly felt here, and a strong feeling of dissatisfaction is growing in consequence. In a former communication it was suggested that the difficulty could easily be overcome by appointing Mr Brabant, S.M., to a Native Land Court Judgeship. The Natives are very anxious to put their land through tho Court, and would ho very pleased to see Mr Brabant appointed to preside there, as ho is thoroughly qualified for the position, and possesses the entire confidence of the Natives. There is already enough work to keep tho Court busy for tho next two years. The Cohen-Gorton libel case, heard hy the Chief Justice last week, attracted con-

siderable attention. Most people in Court seemed to agree with Sir James Prendergast that the plaintiff, a solicitor, should have set the public a better example than to bring such a case into Court after the manly and ample apology spontaneously tendered by Colonel Gorton immediately that gentleman discovered that the libel complained of was the outcome of misinformation. Judgment was given for the .£5 paid into Court by Colonel Gorton, and each party ordered to pay his own costs. The Wanganui Fruit and Vegetable Evaporating Company has made a start, and judging by the specimen packages of dried fruit and vegetables on view, their manager, Mr Duflot, is thoroughly at home in the business. Tho locally-prepared article is really most creditably turned out, and would command a market anywhere. Next season’s operations will be on a far larger scale, as it was impossible to make an early start this year owing to the works not being finished in time. The Company’s exhibit in Wellington at the Exhibition will, no doubt, bo a large and interesting one, and proof that we need not send to California for evaporated fruits and vegetables.