THE NATIVE BILLS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5571, 17 September 1889, Page 2

THE NATIVE BILLS.

The Native Land Court Bill has finally passed the Legislature, though not without danger of being shelved in tho latest stage. The Council made some unimportant amendments in the measure, and thus a chance was aft'orded to the enemies of iSativo L'.ikl Law reform to have the 13il

lumg up altogether. Fortunately their efforts miscarried. For some reason not easily understandable, tho Government usually delay the introduction of proposals affecting Native lands until the session is far advanced. One explanation is that the Bills as originally drafted are so imperfect or otherwise objectionable that Ministers could not hope that the proposals would be accepted by Parliament. The consequence of this was that the Bills had to be redrafted. Probably that is what occurred in connection with the Ministerial proposals this session. The officials of the Native Department first tried their hand at framing the Bills ; in fact, it has been stated that the Ciiief Jud<jo of the Land Court was entrusted withthe duty of framing the measures to bo submitted during the session now closed. Then the Ministerial examination took place, and advice was sought from all quarters. The result was that the Bills as originally drafted were so altered as not to be recognisable. This process occupied several weeks. Tho Poututu Bill was subjected to a similar operation. The general impression was that the measure as introduced was on the lines laid down I by Judge Barton, but that was a mistake. The Poututu Bill differed widely from the recommendations of the Judge of the Court here. It may here be remarked that the measure passed in exactly the same form as published in the Herald on the 80th August. The Land Court Bill was very much altered in the House of Representatives. The principal objection was tr> clause 14, which it was feared would validate all sorts of transactions, a thing which no honest man desires. Members who strongly supported the Ministerial proposals generally expressed themselves that ''the clause was of too sweeping a nature. It is most unlikely that any injustice would have resulted from passing tho clause, as it was never intended that dealings bad in equity as well as bad in law should be validated. The Government promised that the utmost care should be exercised in the matter, and no doubt would have kept their word. There is also a healthy public opinion in the North Island on tho Native question, and anything in the shape of- a gross wrong would meet with the strongest condemnation. Tho Land Court Bill as ultimately passed will give relief, it is thought, to till deserving cases. The other kind of cases, the settlers of the affected districts do not care two straws about. If a man has acted in defiance of law and equity, let him get his deserts. Altogether, there is good reason to be satisfied with the Native legislation effected this season. Provision has been made for clearing up all doubtful titles. In regard to future dealings, the main restriction is the 5000 acre clause, but there was no hope of inducing Parliament to extend the area which may be acquired as freehold, although provision is made for leaseholds of 10,OCO acres. Nearly everything now depends upon the willingness of the Natives to deal with their lands. No further amendment of the law may bo expected for years, as there is a feeling in the Legislature that there has been too much legislation on the Native question. The next step will be to put the Maoris on the same footing as Europeans.

Sporting news (Hawkesbury Spring meetins;) and an account of Lord Salisbury's speech on the prospects of peaoj is published on p:ige four. The Borough Council meets this evening. The Poverty Bay Rowing Club holds its annual meeting to-night. Mr J. Thomson acted as a Oisborne deleat the Masonic Convention at Wellington. Mr Marcroft has a new advertisement in this issue directing attention to the arrival of spring und summer goods. Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. draw attoMijon__to_ their direct .impfirtatjou__oi. shearing supplies. Mr Hare advertises the usual meeting for lecture and singing practice in the hall over Wingate, Burns, and Co. on Wednesday night. An Organ Recital will be given in Holy Trinity Church on Thursday evening. A collection will be made in aid of the Church funds. The Native Land Court sat this morning when Rak'iikitcroa was proceeded with, but was again adjourned until Monday to enable a survey to be made. Mr H. E. Johnston has an announcement in another column which should be interesting to wool-growers. He advertises that the charges on -vool passing through bis store, and to be forwarded direct from Gisborne, will be one-half of the previous season's rates. An essay on " Spiritualism " was read by Mr F. J. Oatridge before the members of the Mutual Improvement Society last night. The subject evoked considerable discussion, the opinions expressed being very varied. Mes3rs Graham, Pitt, and Bennett will hold a stock sale at Steggall's yards, Matawliero, on Friday next, when 100 head of cattle, comprising 70 steers and .SO heifers and cows springing, will be submitted to the hummer. In a few weeks the frown meat works will be in operation here, and the ouMet thus afforded for beef will most probably increase the value of cattle. A meeting of the local Committee of the Dunedin Exhibition was held this afternoon, when a report from the subCommittee was read. It was agreed to requisition the County and Borough Councils for grants-in-aid of £25 each. It was also agreed to open subscription lists, mem' ers to canvass with them, and invite exhibits before September 00. A sub-Committee was appointed to push on the work of obtaining exhibits. The correspondent of a Palmerston journal expresses a hope that the member for Manawatu will not be asked to fill the vacant seat on the Government benches, as he would then have to resign his seat on the local Road Board, which would be a great loss. A land dispute with reference to tho Tohorina Block, Greytown, has culminated in a Supreme Court action, in which Pahovina Pahori is plaintiff, and Mr W. C. Cuff, manager of the Bank of New 'Ac iliind, Greytown, defendant. The statement of claim petitions the Court to have a lease held by the defendant declared fraudulent and void, and requests that compensation be awarded to certain native owners who have been kept out of possession. The defence, which has been tiled within the past few days, is a general denial of the pleas. The case is exciting a great deal of interest in the district. The occupants of a residence on Carlton Terrace, Christchurch, had a bad quarter of an hour with an intruder. A stray horse made his way into kitchen, and evinced a strong determination to stay there. The efforts made to dislodge him got his back up, and he smashed up a dresser and sundry chairs. The occupier called his neighbors to his assistance, and they assembled in force. They tried all they knew to show the horse his way out, but he would not see. Ho would only go out by the window, and this he smashed and cut his head severely in fruitless endeavors to get out. After he had badly damaged several doors in the house, and kept tho occupants in a state alarm for a long time, the horse was fit last hauled out of the house by main force.