NATIVE LANDS COURT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2653, 26 March 1868, Page 5

NATIVE LANDS COURT.

(to the editor op the independent). Otaki, March 24. Sir, — In the Independent of fche 21st instant I see a paragraph containing the following words ; — "In the letter which Archdeacon Hadfield recently addressed to this journal, a question is raised as to the duties of a ' Monitor.' " I beg leave to say that this statement is false j the question of " Monitors" was raised by Mr Walter Buller.

With regard to fche fact, fchafc men who aro acting as teachers in the villages in which fchey reside, have been selected by Mr Williams oufc of the eight; hundred persons of Ngatiraukawa tribe who have nofc signed tho deed of cession, (a list of whose names was produced in Court) as trustworthy witnesses, all I will say is, thafc it appears very much to their credit. No doubt Mr Fox will havo plenty to say about " Monitors." You seem to know whafc he will say. Bufc everybody knows thafc. I could send you a sketch of his speech beforehand. Ifc will treat of fche Church Missionary Society, and the Society for the Protection of Aborigines ; of tho local missionary and " Monitors ;" of Sir George Grey's policy, and the Nominee Council j of the sugar and blanket policy ; but not of the blunders of the old land purchase department. But after all, the question remains — how is ifc thafc a late Prime Minister, New Zealand's " Coming Man," has found himself in a Native Lands Court ? Why have a late Prime Minister there ? Ho has been there a fortnight;, wifch what results ? Let; us see, ho has put a few questions to witnesses exposing his ignorance of the matter in hand, and utterly damaging fco fche cause he has undertaken to defend ; he has been snubbed by Mr Williams, and by the Court for introducing irrelavent matter ; he has produced one tolerably good caricature of an old Maori woman — a witness for tho claimant. This does not appear to be tauti. One remembers Mr Domett's joke— in the name of tho prophet— Figs !— I am, &c, Octavitts Hadfield.