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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 99, 21 September 1878, Page 2

The Noble Savage would appear to hare a somewhat hazy idea of vested rights, as instanced by an application Which w^s made to Mr Wakd, thu Resident Magistrate, during the.week. It appeared that a number of Maoris had been sued foi* debt, and the plaintiff, Mr Bright well, had engaged tho services of Mr Staite to conduct the cases. This, to the Native mind, was an unfair advantage, inasmuch as they had previously sad experience .of tie effects of Mr Staite's pleadings, and a deputation waited upon the. magistrate, asking that he would allosv one of the tribe, who was a " good talking- man," to- act professionally upon their behalf. Mr Ward replied that lift would be quite happy to allow the privilege, providing that the dusky Advocate was a barrister of .the Supreme Court. . It was admitted that he did riot possess, the necessary qualification, so tho- license' was refused, and the deputation retired, silenced •but not subdued.' Yes'tef'day ; 'moi*mng, when the Court opened', the Bench was handed a mysterious document m Maori, of which Mr : - B-AKita has Mmtty given vs 1 the i following translation': — " Palmerston, September 19th, 1878— This is a petition from us to the Resident Magistrate.— We pray that you will grant owr request having reference to our friend; Mr E. Bright well, who ha? employed a solicitor on his behalf. Friend, Mr Bright weß, should not have- a solicitor because we- have- no solicitor to plead for us in' your ■presence, but lot* hinv conduct his owii case,' as we do ours. — Enough ; from your friends, Abama Kakaka, Erini. te Aweawb, Kabarma. Mahout, Rota Moba." Unfortunately- for the success of the petition, neither iFiuend BajGirrvpnii nor his solicitor could see tho matter m that light, ant] t}>© written application shared .the fate of tho personal one-. Of course, m Native Lands .Courts the privilege ast;cd for m the first instance is always allowed, "but were such an innovation permitted, or an embargo laid upon the employment of the " Devil's Own,", they would have- good!: reason far complaint. • . , .... .•:,- '..,.-..■■