WEST COAST SETTLEMENT BILL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 202, 17 August 1880, Page 3

WEST COAST SETTLEMENT BILL.

[By Tebbsbaph.]

[from otjb own cobbbspondbht.j WELLINGTON, August 16. The West Coast Settlement North Island Bill is just circulated. The preamble indicates that the Bill is founded on the West Coast Commissioners’ report. The Governor is empowered, as he may think fib, to make final settlement of every claim or grievance of any nature arising out of any engagement or promise made on behalf of the Government in respect to confiscated territory, and so far as expedient to do eo, in accordance with the reports of the Commission, and to issue Crown grants. The Governor in Council may make alienable and inalienable reserves. The Taranaki and Wellington land districts may bo altered and a now land district constituted called the “ West Coast land, district.” Lands not set apart as reserves are to be Crown lands. There is to be no Land Board for the West Coast land district, but all powers are to be vested in the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The following offences under the Act render offenders liable to two years’ imprisonment with hard labor and to be bound over to keep the peace for a further time, as the Court thinks fit, viz —(1) Obstructing persons authorised to do anything under the Act. (2.) Removing or destroying any building, bridge, fence, survey peg, station, so as to endanger the publio peace, (3 ) Digging, ploughing, or disturbing the surface of the land whereby the lawful occupation thereof is obstructed or impeded. (4.) Erecting a fence or building, or doing any other act whereby lawful occupation is impeded. (5.) Removing or destroying the surface of any road or track deemed a highway, or placing any obstruction thereon with a view to hinder or impede the use of the road by her Majesty’s subjects. Persons may be arrested without warrant. The Natives in custody are to be detained.