AN IMPORTANT CASE.

Evening Star, Issue 4253, 13 October 1876, Page 2

AN IMPORTANT CASE.

[Br Telegraph.]

(From our own Correspondent ) Queenstown, October 13. The trial of a very important case has been going on the District Court here during the past days, before Judge Harvey. The action is the Superintendent versus William Paterson, runholder; and is brought to recover L 495, rent on one of his runs, license to occupy which was issued under the depasturing Regulations. Mr Finn, counsel for the runholders, raised several important points, which, if eonsidered fatal to the Superintendent's powers, - probably aU the licenses issued on the goldfields are void. The main points are that the Governor having delegated powers conferred on him by the Goldfields Act to the Executive Government, the latter could not re-delegate those powers to the Superintendent; that the depasturing regulations are ultra vires; and that the term, being for seven years, should be by deed as provided in the Act. Mr Finn also objected to the license being received [in evidence until properly proved, as there _ was no attesting witness to the Superintendent's signature, contrary to section 41 of the Turton, for the Superintendent, argued ab!y, and went through all the 4cts"and Ordinances vesting powers in the Superintendent.—His Honer the Judge thought he could not get over some of the points raised by the defendant's counsel, especially those in reference to the delegation of powers; and as the matter seriously affected not only the Government but the public, he reserved judgment till the next sittings.—The arguments of counsel on both sides were lengthy. Other similar cases weru adjourned by consent of counsel on both sides, it is understood an appeal is sure to be lodged whichever side loses.