D.—No. 7a,

Russell— AVaipu— Resident Magistrate, £100. Resident Magistrate, £350. Clerk and Interpreter, £150. Waipukurau— Kaipara — Resident Magistrate, £350. Resident Magistrate. AVairoa — Clerk, £150. Resident Magistrate, £350. Waiuku— Clerk, £150. Resident Magistrate, £350. Wairarapa— Interpreter, £150. Resident Magistrate, £100. Upper Waikato— Clerk and Interpreter, £150. Resident Magistrate, £350. Wauganui— Clerk, £100. Resident Magistrate, £400. Interpreter, £125. Clerk and Interpreter, £200. Middle Waikato— Upper Wanganui— Resident Magistrate, £350. Resident Magistrate, £350. Port AVaikato Waikanae — Resident Magistrate, £300. Resident Magistrate, £400 Interpreter, £100. „ Clerk and Interpreter, £1 / o. -n , Canterbury— Raglan— Internreter £150 Acting Resident Magistrate, £400. q, _}_ ' Clerk, £150. Interpreter, £100. Maketu and Bay of Plenty— Southland Resident Magistrate, £400. Native Officer (also Resident Magistrate) Interpreter, £50. £75 Clerk, £150. Chatham Islands— Taupo — Resident Magistrate, £200. Resident Magistrate, £350. Clerk, £100. native circuit courts. We are of opinion that Courts of Law, adapted to the trial of Native cases, should be constituted in Native Districts, and that Judicial Officers in those districts should not be charged as at present with executive functions. A. due regard to economy and efficiency in the 'public service, not less than to higher interests, indicates the importance of the resort of Natives for redress to judicial arbitrament rather than to tortuous efforts to enlist in their favour the power of the Executive through its local agents, especially when, as in most cases, these agents are charged with the administration of justice. A Judicial decision is given in the face of day, upon the sworn evidence of both sides, and is subject to the regulation and correction of law ; Executive management is the reverse in every respect. If it be the object of the employment of political agents to settle Native disputes, it appears to us that this would be better and more cheaply effected by Courts of Justice. If such agents are intended to fully inform the Government of the state of their districts, we consider that this might be provided for by temporary means suited to the exigency. The establishment' in a Native district of an officer whose duties are not defined by law, but who is the quasi representative of the power of the Executive, and to gain whose ear cajolery and intimidation are alternately practised, is, we believe, an unnecessary expense, and is likely to lead to liabilities of far greater amount than its actual cost, and to supersede the efficient operation of tho law. Such division of duties will, we think, whilst effecting our object of economy and efficiency in the administration of the country, have tho other great advantages always attending upon a complete separation of Judicial from Ministerial functions. The principle of " The Native Circuit Courts Act, 1858," appears to us an excellent one, and its practical operation will be the cheapest and most effective means of extending the usefulness of existing Courts. AYe subjoin a Return of the present number of Native Assessors and others drawing pay from the Government:—

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SERVICE COMMISSIONERS

DISTRICT. TOTAL SALARIES TEE ANNUM. NUMBER OF NATIVE OFFICERS. Mongonui Waimate Hokianga Assessors, 8 at £20 ... AVardens, 2 at £20 ... Kareres, 6 at £10 ... Pensioners, 5 at £20 Assessors, 7 at £20... ... ..." AVarden, 1 Kareres, 4 at £10 Pensioners, 2 at £12, 1 at £5 Assessors, 7 at £20 ... Warden, 1 at Kareres, 4 at £10 Pensioners, 1 at £75, 1 at £36, 2 at £52, 5 at £12 Assessors, 1 at £90, 1 at £40, 3 at £20 Kareres, 4 at £10 ... '... Pensioners, 2 at £100, 1 at £5 Assessors, 2 at £50, 2 at £40, 3 at £25 Kareres, 5 at £10 ... Pensioners, 3 at £50, 1 at £30, 1 at £10, 1 at £12 £ s. ■ d. 160 0 0 40 0 0 60 0 0 100 0 0 140 0 0 20 0 0 40 0 0 29 0 0 140 0 0 20 0 0 40 0 0 275 0 0 190 0 0 40 0 0 205 0 0 255 0 0 50 0 0 202 0 0 Kororareka or Eussell Kaipara 5