NATIVE DEPARTMENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18255, 25 November 1933, Page 5

NATIVE DEPARTMENT

IMPORTANT CHANGES RETIREMENT OF HEAD (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, announced yesterday that Mr. R. N. Jones, Chief Judge of the Native Land G’ourt, who is also occupying the position of Under-Secretary of Native Alfairs and Native Trustee, lias asked the Government to be released from the latter positions. He will, however, retain his position as Chief Judge. The Government lias decided to accede to the request, and the necessary readjustment of the staff consequent upon his retirement will be made by the Public Service Commissioner.

Chief Judge Jones, whose retirement from the posts of Under-Secretary for Native Affairs and Native Trustee is announced, was appointed a judge in 1903. after esta!>ljAjH% a sound reputation in Connection with native law in his practice in Gisborne. He conducted the East. Coast circuit of native land courts Itt 15 years, and then succeeded Mr. Jacksdh-Palrrior as Chief Judge of the courts, 'upon which succession he made his headquarters at Wellington. lie became Under-Secretary of his departnient later, and added the responsibilities of the Native Trusteeship carlv this year, on the retirement through ill-health nf J*id*n Rawson. The Chief Judgeship will be retained by Mr. Jones, whose period of office in the post, of Under-Sec-retary has been one of extensive changes boih in the outlook of native polity and iti the duties of the members of the Native Land Court bench.