THE FRAUDS COMMISSIONER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1063, 5 April 1880, Page 2

THE FRAUDS COMMISSIONER.

(To the Editor of the Heuald.) Sir, — No one who was present in the R.M. Court to-dajr, during the time our respected magistrate, Mr. Matthew Price, was holding enquiries as Frauds Commissioner, but must have felt the greatest sympathy for him in the ordeal he was undergoing. As a painstaking, conscientious, aud upright magistrate, as one who will do his duty fearlessly and without favor or affection, I believe Mr. Matthew Price, who, for 27 years has adorned 'the magisterial bench of the Colonies, stands without a parallel. But I do not think Mr. Price has thoroughly gra*ped,the full meaning and intent of the "•Native Land Frauds Prevention Act," nor the numerous and complicated laws relating to land tenure in this Colony, Mr. Price's remarks led one to infer that his reading of the Frauds Prevention Act was totally different to His Ifonor Judge Gillies. To-day Mr* Pric» #id emphatically that he would certify Uppo deed that was not correct, and that there would be no litigation, through any certificate of his grantees. Little was Mr. Price aware when he made such a statement that he was assuming to himself the function of determining what should properly be decided by the Supreme Court. In December, 1878, in Napier, when the extent of the powers of a Frauds Commissioner came before Judge Gillies in the Supremo Court, His Honor stated that a Frauds Commissioner, who was generally a lay man, had, iv giving his certificate, to conaidei' the bona fides of the transaction. As to h'g.'il points

the Frauds Commissioners had nothing whatever to do. The Frauds Commissioner's certificate, remarked the learned judge, made the deed no better or worse. It solely enabled it to be placed on the registry to fight its way against any other deeds Mr. Price, who labors under the additional disadvantage of severe physical infirmity through the loss of his eyesight, apparently takes «a different view. I little wondered to-day when be said with emphasis, the office of Frauds Commissioner, caused him so much annoyance and trouble that he would resign. It is a thankless office, and our worthy magistrate's resignation of it, will be in no way dorogatory to him. — I am &c. . Spectator.