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Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 18, 4 July 1885, Page 2

apply -'s-3 h k:is not '.- Cor.rt. vmder “ The Act > J S S S-” Come I* provides that to have their lands dealt serua (or lass, as the be) n te'-tir xaflber es a vbo sha4l CBterraiSe WJefter the P'S stall be leased, sold, for partly leased, sold, or reserved. 'Bbeir decision is to be communicated to a " Board of Management;’’ cornjrised of a commissioner (a Government nominee), the Chairman of the Native Committee ; and “ another person,” to be appointed by the Governor. The Board is then to make a “ report,” which will be gazetted, and is empowered to make sale or lease of the land, lay off roads, make surveys, &c., and perform all such acts as it shall deem necessary, including sueing for and recovery of all rents, purchase moneys, &c. The Commissioner is to receive all monies and pay them into the “ Native Land Fund ’’ account. After deducting five per cent, the cost of all surveying, laying off and making roads, advertising, and any other expenses, the balance is to be distributed amongst the Native owners, according to their share in the land ; or, should they prefer it, the money may be expended in the purchase of an annuity, or deposited for investment with the Public Trustee. Persons in the occupation of land on the eighth day of September, 1885, and to which no title has been determined, may at any time within three months from the passing of the Act, make a statutory declaration of the situation, area and character of the land, together with the number and value of live stock thereon and the nature and value of improvements effected, and forward the same to the Chief Judge of the Native Lands Court who, after making due investigation into the matter, can make such recommendation as he may deem fit to the Governor in Council, who may thereupon authorise a lease to be made for the period recommended, but in no case exceeding fourteen years, “ Unconcluded transactions ” are dealt with by the person claiming giving notice, within three months, to the Chief Judge and to the Commissioner, and depositing with the Judge “ all documentary evidence; of his claim ; ” whereupon, if such Judge be satisfied that the conveyance or lease so claimed has been mide, he may accept an application to have the parcel of land dealt with “ under any Act,” and such claim shall warrant proceedings fcr division for such land by the Court. Applications for the removal of restrictions after notification in the Gazette may be ’enquired into before a Judge; or any two Commissioners who may be appointed by the Governor, and may make any “ recommendation they may think fit for the consideration of the ■jpvernor in Council.” The Act also that “ no person shall by himor his agent, purchase or acquire any owner any land or any estate therein ; ” but owners “ may ■ or lease to the Crown without and the appointment of a Kcal committee.” A penal clause fenders any infringment of the Act punishable by twelve months imprisonment or a fine of not more than five I hundred pounds. We have little hesitation in asserting that no part of this (has been more injuriously 1 by the maladministration and :ncy of the existing Native Land han the district of Poverty Bay ; itently we have been looking f with much anxiety to this new a means whereby we might ibly hope for introduction of r state of afrairs which would p some loophole of escape from esent disgraceful condition of But we have,hoped in vain, ile asking for bread have received ra stone. The Act is not alone inefficient in meeting and correcting any of the existing evils, but is absolutely calculated to make matters far more complicated. It requires but little knowledge of the Native character to 'the proposed Committees ’■mworhable on account would

Owing to the greftt pressure on our space, occasioned by reports of meetings, we have reluctantly beix compelled to hold over several interesting notices and articles.

The Suva arrived in the Bay from the South about io a.ru. yesterday, and left again for the Worth in the afternoon. She brought several passengers.

!®r. A. 'C. Crcrit, nio has just returned from a trip up the Coast, reports the rivers in high flood and the tracks almost impassable from slips and bogs.

The Rotomahana will arrive from the North to-day. The last boat will leave the wharf at 7 p.m. The Wairarapa, from the South, is expected early on Monday morning ; the last boat leaving the wharf at 8.30 a.m. The Ohan arrives from the South on Tuesday next.

The local Druids held their half-yearly meeting on Thursday last, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing term : —P.A., Bro. Fisher; J.P.A., Bro. Adeane; A. D., Bro. Gannon ; V.A., Bro. Sawyer ; A.D. Bards, Bros. Mcßride and Humphries ; V.A. Bards, Bros. Johnstone and Sweete ; Secretary, Bro. Barnard (re-elected); Treasurer, Bro. Fischer (re-elected) ; 1.G., Bro. Robinson ; 0.G., Bro. Webb. The balance-sheet showed the Lodge to be in a flourishing financial condition. Several new members were proposed for initiation. In our report of the County Council proceedings we publish a lengthy communication from the Rodney County Council which, in view of the existing difficulty with Mr. Shaw, of Wairoa, relating to the Waihau road, will prove of especial interest to all those interested in such matters. Although, owing to the present unsettled state of affairs there is little probability of the agitation effecting any immediate remedy, yet it may prove beneficial in, at least, directing future legislation when dealing with this question.

Things seem to have come to a dead lock with respect to the weighbridge. We understand that as soon as it had been placed in its present position the wharfinger received the key of the house with the intimation that he must take charge of the weighbridge. This he declined to do, and notified the same to the Harbor Board Secretary who has placed the machine in the bands of Mr. H. E. Johnstone until the decision of the Board is known. The attempt to place this additional work upon the shoulders of the wharfinger is not alone unjust but simply ridiculous, as it is impossible that he can, whilst going round collecting wharf dues, attend to the machine. Another thing, Mr. Whitty is already far overworked and could not reasonably be expected to perform any additional duties. The Board has found in him a diligent and painstaking servant who has already, during the last nine months paid in an equal amount of money as that received during the previous twelve months, and why they should attempt to drive a willing horse to death is quite unaccountable.

Buyers in the drapery line will do well to read Mr J.’Cantie’s new advertisement on the fourth page of this issue, before deciding on their purchases, It appears that we are to be treated to another surfeit of the “ dry hash ” Afghan war scare, and far-fetched rubbish about “ Russian difficulty,” “ gloomy indica-i tions” in “the direction of war,” togetheJ with another “ direct insult ” by Russia 1!

On Monday last the Trust Commissioner affixed his certificate to the following deeds of conveyance : —From Himiona Mokehe to R. Cooper, in the Wharekaka Block. Deed of lease from Riperata Kabutia to J. Taylor, in the Matokitoki Block ; and from a number of Natives to J, Cattell in various blocks,

Messrs, Garrett Bros, have long enjoyed the reputation of being one of the best and cheapest shoemakers in the colony, and their Gisborne establishment is most replete with the best classes of goods, which combine cheapness, elegance, and durability. Owing to the energetic efforts of Mr Allan McDonald, and the co-operation of a few of his friends, the Government has decided to continue the services of the Trust Commissioner for three months, andilonger if found necessary.

Mr Gladstone has announced his intention of seeking re-election by his constituents.

The announcement which appeared in our contemporary to the effect that Mr Locke has had a Bill drawn up to establish and endow a High School in Gisborne, and that “ the Bill was read a first time ” requires to be taken with a pinch of salt, All local Bills have to be advertised in the district for three weeks, and other formalities complied with, before they can be brought into the House and read a second time. We beg to acknowledge the receipt of a pamphlet ojr the “ Co-operation of Land Labor and Capital, by W. L. Rees.” The work is “ dedicated to Sir George Grey, the noble and unselfish leader of all those who, in the Colonial Empire of Britain, are striving for the liberties and welfare of the people,” We shall have much pleasure in reviewing the pamphlet in our next issue ; and, in the mean time, advise all our readers to peruse its instructive pages. Great discontent is being expressed throughout tfie whole Colonies by all branches of trade at the objectionable effect which the new tarriff is found to have Upon business. It is causing the most vexatious delay in obtaining goods, besides large additional post for *nd wharfage, together with an Ecrease of clerical work. will be that many in- . 11 1 ; ■K’ Hlanlan. , 1 been li* 4 " J '■’l while out