Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

Assessors

Assessors.

There is an opinion amongst many of the Natives that I have questioned that the Assessors are not of much use in Court; that they are too much in awe of the Judge, and do not exercise any influence on the judgments; that they "sit like dummies," or are like the pictures in a photographer's window, only there "to be looked at." Another, who had recently lost his claim, says, "They are so partial, and are deceivers." One of the grounds on which application was made for rehearing of the Waihi case was that the Assessor had fraternized with the other side, and the Native counsel, to whom the matter was referred, recommended a rehearing, because, amongst other things, "the Native Assessor was too intimate" with one of the parties. But scarcely one of the objectors would like to see the Assessors excluded; on the contrary, I gather that there is a craving desire amongst the Natives of intelligence for more general employment in the administration of those laws that apply to themselves, though they feel that their ignorance unfits them to be associated with European officials. Can no steps be taken to train the rising generation so that they may take part in their own government? Instead of diminishing the numbers or duties of the Assessors, I think that it would be an advantage if, in important and difficult cases, such as the Aroha or Manawatu, their numbers were increased to five or more, and the unanimous assent of Judges and Assessors should still be required. Juries can be dispensed with altogether; there has been but one instance in which a jury has been demanded, and then it did not give any satisfaction to either party.