PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 90, 24 September 1873, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Mr. Wakefield asked the Native Minister whether any stepshad been taken to make the 60,000 acres of land, being the Maori endowment of native schools in Hawke’s Bay, remunerative, by cutting it up into runs. Mr. M‘lx san said that the Government had nothing to do with the matter. The committee on the Native Lands Act resumed.

Mr. M'Lean introduced clauses providing for the subdivision of interests even where some interests were already sold. The clauses provided that Judges, in defining the amounts of the respective interests, should be guided by equity and good conscience. Messrs. Sheehan and Gillies wished that they should be guided by the ordinary rales of evidence. Mr. Ormond urged the importance of reclaiming this provision, owing to the prevalence of perjury amongst the native*, as was shown during the sittings of the Commission. In cases where one or two interests were unsold, all who sold would band together to swear that nearly all the land belonged to those who had not sold. Mr. Sheehan thought no such perjury was probable. Mr. Ormond cited Judge Richmond’s opinion

that it was. The natives were continually cautioned by the Commissioners that they were per. juring themselves. Karaitiana said they would not do so. If the natives did not get their rights they would go and settle on their land till turned off. Perhaps some one would be killed. The House decided in favor of Messrs. M'Lean and Ormond’s views, by 43 to 15. An amendment clause was inserted to the effect that in any case where a grantee under repealed Acts has alienated his share, and where the purchaser, or any of the owners of the residue were desirous of ascertaining respective shares, it shall be lawful for such owners or purchasers to apply to the Court. The Court shall proceed in any manner that seems best to ascertain respective shares (this not to apply where shares are defined in the grant.) If the applicant wishes for a subdivision, the Court may proceed to make such subdivision. The Court to be guided by equity and good conscience ; and its decision to bind all parties. Provided always that the grantee or purchaser may, within six months, appeal to the Supreme Court, which tribunal must give the final decision based on the equity of the case.

On the question being put that the Native Lands Bill be read a third time, —Mr. Sheehan protested against the clauses, referring, apparently, to that of the Judge proceeding by equity and good conscience in cases of subdivision. He said that a large meeting of native chiefs had been held in Wellington. The Bill was read a third time.

Henare Matua and his people are en route from Napier, to endeavour to get another Commission appointed re Hawke’s Bay land question, with power to adjudicate on each when heard. Kawana Hunia te Hakeke is in Wellington, wanting to sell a block of land in the neighbourhood of the Ruahini ranges to the Government, for £32,000 which, he says, contains large gold and silver mines. The Auckland members in caucus, determined that the province of Auckland should apply for a loan of £250,000, setting apart lands as security. It is rumored that Mr. Vogel will make the Immigration Statement for Mr. O’Rorke, who shirks doing so. In reply to Mr. Sheehan, Mr. M'Lean said a bill would be introduced to remedy the defects in Acts relating to Maori lands on the East Coast, and to do away with joint tenancy. In reply to Mr. Pyke, the Premier said the Government would endeavour to persuade the colony of Victoria to establish a branch mint in New Zealand.

In reply to Mr. Murray, the Minister of Works said that Henry Driver valued the Port Chalmers railway material at £9,440, and received £l3B 15s as remuneration for so doing. The District Court Acts Amendment Bill was thrown out by 21 to 11. The Provincial borrowing Bill has been thrown out by the Legislative Council, which the Premier denounced in a “ Ministerial Statement ” speech.

Mr. Sheehan gave notice of motion on question that the House go into Committee of Supply, “That the administration of the Immigration Policy of the Government by the Agent-General has been eminently unsatisfactory, and that the Government would meet the wishes of the House and the colony by placing the management of immigration in other hands.”