NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1081, 29 May 1879, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

A SCENE IN COURT. {FROTH. OUR SPECIAL COERESPONDENT.)r Cambridge, last night. One of the most interesting episodes m connection svith native affairs, came off this morning. The King and the Law were brought face to face, and the issue was never doubtful. On the opening of the N,ative Lands Court, Te Ngakau came forward, and, facing the Judge, commenced objecting to the proceedings. He said that, on behalf of Tawhiao, he was there to prevent the Court going on, and would stand there and .object, until it was stopped. Judge Munro exhibited admirable composure and firmness. Ngakau constantly accused him of begining to lose his temper, evidently with a view of producing- that result, but the attempt Was futile. To all that Ngakau had to urge, Mr Munro made but one reply, which was unanswerable : "We know no Rangatiras nor slaves m this Court. Men here are all alike. Natives put m their claims, and I am here to hear them, and decide. I cannot know you, Tutua, more, than any other man. The Court can take no cognizance of Tawhiao." After a considerable time, Ngakau shifted his ground, and wished, the Court stopped, upon the ground that 1 he was a claimant, and had been reared uppn the land being adjudicated upon. Judge Munro told Mm. that he could appear and substantiate his claim, if he liked, but that he oould not, and would not adjourn. Te Ngakau turned to the natives and said, you have sold your land, and are now like dogs. ' Be persisted m his obstruction to the Court, and at last Mr Munro said, " You had better, perhaps, go outside, and say what you have to say, to the claimants and the people. At 2 o'clock, the Court will resume its sittings, and will go on with wora. If you then obstruct, you must take the consequences of your actions." The Court then adjourned, i The natives assembled, and Te Ngakau, starting up, addressed them, stating that the Court should be closed. All the claimants to the block under consideration strenuouslyijobjdcted, and a fierce and hot discussion ensued. Matters looked very serious at one period. Time was passing rapidly, and, at 2 o'clock, it was certain the Court would order Te Ngakau to leave, if he persisted m "talking against time." At about 12.15, Major and Mrs Wilson came to talk to Te Ngakau, and induced him to re-consider his position. After a great deal of talk, he^ agreed to urge his claims as an ordinary saitor, and abandon his obstructiveness,When the Court was opened, at 2 o'clock, he did not appear, and business proceeded as usual. It was, mmy humble opinion, one of the best lessons that could be taught to the natives. The Courts have, unfortunately, through interference for political reasons, been gradually falling into contempt, and the firmness of Judge Munro has done a vast deal' to extricate them from their unfortunate position. Looking at what we see now happening at Oakura, this exhibition of firmness cannot be too much praised.