EUROPEANISING THE MAORI. . —t—4-r ;• .■• '1

Dominion, 24 February 1913, Page 5

EUROPEANISING THE MAORI. . —t—4-r ;• .■• '1

FIRST CASE OP ITS KIND. ■ ,'!

Tho first application under Section :17 of tho Native Land Amendment Act of last session came before the Native Land Court in '.Wellington a few days ajjo, when R-angi Kcrehoma, a : wealthy youbg Hawke's Bay.Nativo applied for a reco;nmendation, to tho Governor to declare .him a European. , '. :l Mr. Beard appeared on behalf .'of tho, applicant, who is 25 yehrs of ago, has o, competent knowledge of tho English language, and has been a studerH of the Wnngamii Collego and of St. Patrick's College,' Wellington! Ho is worth some iCO.OOO or JC7O,Ono. of which the Public Trustee holds .£25,000 under n deed of trust, the beneficiary being entitled to tlio lncouio during life. On coming of ago the applicant obtained .€II,OOO, and in reply to questions stated that he spoilt .£BOOO of this in beautifying his'place in Hawko's Bay,-''and in acquiring:;a farm near ffasterton. !•

Judpo Gilfedder pointed out that in tho past it had been pointed out that the Maori was not always (ho eqnal of tho Eurapcn.li in transacting business, iitld safeguards had to 1>» doviscd to prevent tlio Native from becoming tho dupa .of. tlio pakehn. The day had not vet arrivtx) when all disabilities eculd .-be rcmovdd and protection taken awa.Wond thee wlio had experience' in the administration of the Native love must, l-v" '>-cn p*+oii"ded at tho readiness of Natives to sign their names to transfers, lenses, and otlwr important documents. With the educational advantages afforded in recent years, however, thcro were to be found mar'y young Maoris who'wire, just as cenablc of manngine- their affairs as wcm'EhmpeanK,_and tho Lcsrtalaturc had now niac'o nrovision for placing capable and' intetb'tront Native? on-tho snmo footing as the Europeans. It behoved the Court to make full inquiries, and to strictly scrutinise each caw, and only rocominenid tho withdrawal of protective safeguards in ' tlio ensft of wealthv and intelligwit young Natives when they could .show that the> noss»=?od sufficient business acumen anij intelligonoo to enable them to hold their own. -;

In the ease of Ranri Kerehoma a-re-nort would Iw sent to,tho Native Mhiistoi In due course. . i

THF/BROADTVOOD PLAYER •P'TANOsi Tho Broadwood 'Player Pianos are Brj ; . tiub throughout, all mado in ono factory, all fitted with aluminium tubing, which is imperishable. Terms to suit any pur. chaser. Tho Dresden Piano Co., Ltd., Well .lington. M. J. Brookes, North Island manager. I

Motor Cara.—For immediate ddivorjj 10 h.p. Austin, four cylinders, four-senteil body, hood, screen, lamps, sparo wheel, 1 ■£435. Seott Motor Afcency, Cuba Street,; W.jlllntton.-Advt- "' '