APPEAL COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1411, 23 March 1905, Page 2

APPEAL COURT.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, yesterday,

In the Appeal Court the case of the Hutt Council v. Crawford was adjourned until March-27th.’The Court was occupied with hearing the case Jillett and others (respondents) v. the Commissioner of Stamps (apellant). This was a case stated for the opinion of the Supreme Court, in which the Chief Justice had decided that where a half-caste native had left his land by will to his wife and son as trustees for sale, the lands were not subject to 10 per cent, duty under tho Stamp Amendment Act, 1885, section 17, on lands derived in fee simple. So as to vest for tho first time in a person other than a native by will the proceeds of the sale wore given to the wife and children. Tho wife was a European, and the children are persons other than natives within tho meaning of the Aet.

Wellington, last night. In tho Appeal Court in the case Jillett and others v. tho Commissioner of Stamps the usual difficulty cropped up as to what was and who was a “native” ;for purposes of one Aet a man with one fifty-ninth part of Maori blood in him (as Judge Denniston)said is “Maori” and for purposes of other Acts he is a *’• European.” Aftor hearing Mr Bell for the Crown and Mr Beers for respondents the Court reserved judgment.