NATIVE APPELLATE COURT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10941, 10 April 1907, Page 2

NATIVE APPELLATE COURT.

IJjc Native Appellate Court (Chief Judge Jackson Palmer and Judges Ruwsuji and Jones) was occupied alj nuiinuVnhearing an appeal respecting K-kamaroke block, a Section of about five acres" at. Te Arm. The appeal was from a deci Jon of the Maori Land Board affirming a block committee's report. In the coarse of the hearing it was alleged there were i- regularities in the proceedings of the* commjttee, arid, further, that the Hoard had not heard any objections, considering that as eventually the Appellate Court would deal with the matter it would be useless to do so. Both parties were heard at lejigth, and the Uoiut adjourned for lunch. Upon resuming at' 2 p.m., the Chief Judge announced tlittt certain point's' had been raised hi this case which it understood were somewhat similar to those, which will be raised iii other appeals from block committee reports to Le iit-ard up the coast. If the Court ' decided one way or the other, at present, it might be that that decision might indirectly prejudice others, not parties to tlus appeal. Although the Court had arrived at a conclusion in this case, it proposed not to deliver judgment till after the arguments on eithej side in the other cases were exhausted. The Cowrt desired to keep «■ perfectly open and unbiased mind and to hear all sides of the case. Judgment would be reserved, and would be delivered on their return from the coast, and would be published iti'tlia local press. The announcement of the Court; was received with approbation b^ the Natives

In the appeal regarding Whataroa, mid Ohiwa blocks, Wanoa, Watene JHukunai appeared and asked that the case be adjourned to Wairoa. — The Chief Judge pointed out that it would cost the country £150 per month to go to Wairoa, and it was not fair to ask the Government to spend so large an amount, that the respondent and his people should be able to come and listen. JLhey jhad an opportunity of coming. The Court were always anxious to oblige the Natives, but they were being blamed for not getting through with their troubles more quickly. If they would all come together aiid save the Court from having -to travel all over the country they Would settle the business more quickly.— Tlie application for adjournment is to be considered.— The sauie Native appeared on behalf of the. respondents in the Tutaelniri 1 block, Wairoa. At this stage two Natives appended on behalf of the appellant. Owe desired the appeal to be withdrawn and t'lie other wanted to go on with the case. After a heated argument it was announced that appellant had written to the Registrar intimating- her desire to withdraw the ap-plication.-»-The Court decided to liold over -the case, to give the appellant an opportunity^ appear and give an explanation, and thus save her £50 deposit. Several other Wairoa. cases were tnen proceeded with.