NATIVE LAND COURT SITTINGS

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12579, 28 September 1908, Page 7

NATIVE LAND COURT SITTINGS

Complaints of Delay.

The infrequent sittings of the Native Land Court in Wanganui, and the piling up of business and consequent delay in dealing with matters that come before the Court, were the subject of adverse criticism at the Chamber of Commerce meeting this morning. The Hon. the Native Minister wrote, in reply to the Chamber's letter, that one of the reasons why there had not been, more frequent sittings of the Native Land Court at Wanganui was that the townspeople complained that they bi ought too many natives to the place, thereby creating a nuisance. Therefore, whenever convenient a change was made to Marton, Waitotara, Ha\vera, or Palmerston North. However, an Appellate Court had now been gazetted for Wangaiitt- this month, to be immediately followed by a sitting oi the Native J^and Court.

Mr Jackson Palmer, Chief Judge, also wrote to the effect that lor a considerable time past sittings of the Court had been held at Marton, Palmerevon, )Vaitotara, Hawera, and New Plyfnouth. Many of the natives interested in the casea before these latter Courts were, interested in the cases to- come on at the Wanganui Court, and to hold a sitting at Wanganui at the same time that cheSe other Courts were sitting would cause a clash. He did not wish to clone down these other Courts too soon, as if would he unfair. He also understood that some short wh^e ago the people of Wanganui had objected to the Native Land Court sitting in the town, and thers was some talk of it having to sit somewhere else, therefore it was deemed right to defer to this public wish and. the Courts had not been held in Wanganui. but as near there as possible.

Mr S. H Manson remarked that the n 'iim vi!;re held so seldom that the Maoris came en bloc into town, whereas if more frequent sittings were held it would only be necessary for more immediately concerned to come into town.

Mr Gregor McGregor thought the reply of the Minister and the Judge unsatisfactory. It was not a fact that the peopfo of Wanganui had objected to the sittings of the Court being lield here. What they had objected to was the Maoris being allowed to hard in an insanitary buUaing on Tan no Quay arid live under insanitary conditions in their tents on the foreshore. It was suggested that it would be better for the 'natives if thf Court sat at some place outside the town but it was never proposed, that the sitlings should not be lieKl "in Wanganui. The Minister had altogether missed the s r>int of the Chamber's representations. They asked that >ore frequent sittings of. the Court should be held* Such would better for all concerned, for the reason stated by Mr Manson. If the Courts were regularly and morer frequently held it would not be faecessary for so many natives to come to town at one time, and their stay would not be co long. He had discussed the matter wilh the natives, and they urged that" a resident Native Land Court Judge should be appointed here, who could also be president of the Aotea Land Board. The" natives were being treated scandalously. The absurdity of giving only one week's notice oi a sitting of the Appellate Court here was apparent when it was known that some of th© natives had to come over 100 miles, and witnesses, etc., had to be obtained. He movetl that a committee be anpointrd to draft a letter to the Native, Department on- the lines ho- had jjii forested.

Mr E. A. Campbell seconded the motion, and in general terms complained of the inaction ~of tlie Native Department.

Mr J. L. Stevenson spoke of the great l ( >ss and inconvenience occasioned to clients through the delay in dealing with Land Court matters, and said solicitors had boxes full of deeds which they were anxiously waiting for the Land Court to deal with.

The motion was carried unanimously, anu the chairman and mover and seconder were deputed to' write the letter.