A.—No. 2a.

30

APPENDIX TO REPORT RELATIVE TO THE

The Natives approve generally of assessors sitting with and assisting the Judges. Chiefs of liii;h rank and intelligence would as a rule have no objection to sit as assessors at distant places, though sometimes they might object to go ; it would not be that they considered the position derogatory. It is not advisable that a claim should be investigated at the instance of a decided minority of the claimants. Such claims are always well notified and ventilated amongst themselves before being brought before the Court. The use of juries has not been suggested by the Government, but in difficult cases would be advisable. But why not employ three or more Native assessors as a jury? Native jurors could bo depended tipon when not directly interested in a case. The constant difficulty of changing the names in a deed at the death of any one whose name might be inserted therein, would be an objection to having a great number of names entered in the deed, and sometimes great trouble would arise in trying to subdivide the land ; the better plan would be, that a certain number should be chosen by the claimants to have their names entered in the deed, on behalf of the whole number ; the present number of ten is sufficient. All should agree in leasing, in the same way as alienation by sale or mortgage is now prohibited without consent of the whole. I do not know of any instances, in which the right of persons interested, other than the grantees, have been disregarded. lam of opinion that certificates should be issued in the first instance, as a saving of time. Should the land be required for sale, surveyors' usual charges are: —For large blocks, about £2 per mile, the lines being cut by the owners of the land, the smaller pieces by the job, the plans to be charged extra. If the Natives have the money, they pay on completion of the work ;if (hey have not, it remains as a lieu on the land. It is immaterial whether the land be surveyed by Government surveyor or not. I cannot give any instance of the present system of survey injuring the Natives. Licensed interpreters cannot be dispensed with, unless the Judges and surveyors understand the Maori language. As far as I have known, the Natives have confidence in the interpreters who have been already licensed. Ido not think that they protract business for the sake of patting money into their pockets. Maoris could be employed as agents ; but there are only one or two in this district who understand the English language and law sufficiently well. I do not think the presence of lawyers desirable. If I had land to pass through the Court I would not employ lawyers, as they lead only to needless expense and delay. I think sufficient land is reserved for the Natives. If the land is of good quality, five acres for each would be sufficient; but more should be granted if the land is of interior quality. 1 should approve of a portion of the purchase money being invested for their own or their children's benefit, but but do not think the Natives generally would do so. Half the purchase might be so invested or reserved. I do not think it a good plan that Native land should be sold by auction only. In very few instances are the Natives parting with their lands too rapidly or to too great an extent. The Natives get a better price now than when the Government were the only purchasers ; the only advantage of the old plan was, that the Government bought all the bad land, which private individuals will not do. I think it advisable to discontinue the practice of granting rehearings, as it disposes the losing party to be dissatisfied with every judgment. It would be better to let the first judgment stand. Memo. to this hj Mr. Barslow. Tautari was the Assessor at the first " Aroha" hearing, at which the land was adjudged to Ngatihaua. This decision was reversed at the rehearing, and judgement given in favour of Ngatimaru. Hone Moiii Tawiiat to Mr. Barstow. To Mr. Bakstow,— "YVaima, 20th May, 1871. Friend, salutations. Tour letter has come to me, written by you on the Bth day of May, 1871, in which you ask me to speak my thoughts in respect to the laws of'the Native Lands Court. Yes ; these are the laws that I see are wrong, and that breed trouble in the hearts of the Maori people: — 1. The money, £1, which is asked from men who come to oppose claims in the Court. The reason it is wrong is, it is notified in the Gazette that all parties who have any claim on land (about to be heard at the Court) are to appear there (at the Court). They go according to the call of the Gazette, when the pound is thrown at them ; so the thoughts of the people get wearied by reason of the fear of that pound. 2. The lawyers. They should be done away witli in the Native Land Court, because we see a great deal of the lands of the Maoris have been spent in this looking for lawyers to see to their rights. 3. The surveyors. The Government should consent to their going to survey, then their going •would be right; for much trouble arises with the Maoris through the going of the surveyors (to survey). 4. The interpreters. I see some wrongs (mistakes) in their interpretations of the language of the Judges and of the Pakehas engaged in the Court. These deceitful interpreters are the sons of the missionaries. 5. The Native Land Court. It is good exceedingly. Through this we are admitted into the chief works of the Government. 6. The rule for the Judges and Native Assessors. They have no faults, (except) the laws lead them to sin ; for the laws call to the Judges of the Native Land Court, " .Follow after me ; do not jump aside, lest you do wrong."