WAIRARAPA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2121, 29 October 1864, Page 3

WAIRARAPA.

(FKOM OUE OWN COBBE9PONDENT.) Masterton, 26th October. H. S. Wardell, Esq., R.M., during the sitting ofthe Court at Masterton, called attention to a letter ofthe Wairarapa correspondent of the Independent, in which he had alluded to the serving of summonses. Mr Wardell stated that he only referred to the subject, in order to correct any erroneous impression which might otherwise become current ■ namely, that it was necessary to have a summons read out. "It was necessary toothatthe recipient should be informed that it was a summons." A warrant required to be read but not a summons. " Leaving a summons (at the door was sufficient." It is to be presumed that the R.M.'s ex cathedra ruling is correct law, and therefore, I give his courteous correction ; but shall at the s ame time obtain further advice on the point at issue. The legal hypothesis of English judicature being, that the person who receives a summons, warrant. &c, is uot sup* posed to know how to read. The natives are beginning to take matters with a high hand in the way of summonsing and enforcing their rights. Mr Jame* Nichol was summonsed for damages for sheep trespassing. According to the Maori version of the story, trespass Had taken place for six years, and an incalculable amount of pumpkins, potatoes, &c. had been gormandized by MTr Nichol's flock. Mr William Welch is summoned to the amount of £25, for a few head of cattle straying occasionally into some bush owned bv the natives, but adjoining his own land ; while at the same time, the natives' horses are in scores depasturing on his freehold at Otawhite and the upper end of the Opaki plain. The Kingites have taken the law into their own hands. stating that they are determined to assert their power and authority as opposed to tlie Queen's mana, and their perfect independence of European law, for no apparent reason other than I have stated!. Messrß. Welch and McLachlan have had a number of sheep speared, lambs brained, and cattle mutilated. The cattle have had their tails cut off and sides gashed with a tomahawk, while the Messrs. Campbell have had a number of their pigs killed. Mr McLachlan sought the advice of J. Valentine Smith, Esq., J.P., and the subject has been brought under the notice of the Resident Magistrate, unofficially. Otawhite was the scene of the late hoisting ofthe King flag.