POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7263, 28 May 1885, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(MOM OUB OWN COBBESPONDENT.) ■/ Wellington, May 27.

In order to facilitate the indiyidualisatiota of Native holdings, the Native Minister has requested the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court to bold a sitting as soon as possible. Mr Ballance considors the settlement of the Natives upon their own individual plotß will do much to allay any feeling that may exist among the Natives living in the vicinity of tho confiscated boundary. ■■-/• ■-■•'■ It may be stated at the same time that,Mi Ballance is of opinion that the present commission charges for collecting rents for the Natives are excessive, and ia takingateps to have the rate of charges fixed at a lower scale. The financial part of the question is under the consideration of Sir Julius Vogel, and it ia likely a new scale will be shortly gazetted. Among tbe other .consolidating measures in tbe course of preparation by the Minister of Lands for legislation next session is the Public Trustees Act Consolidation Bill.- Whilst the Department was getting into working order Beveral Acta were, passed to meet cases aB thoy arose. The Department may now bo said to be in fairly good working order, so far as tbe legal machinery is concerned, and it is now proposed to amend these Acts by an Act of a consolidating character. ..