Other formats

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

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 73

Appendix G

Appendix G.

Dear Sir,—

As I leave Wellington for Taranaki to-morrow, and will not return until Tuesday night, I may not be able to appear before the Committee on the petition of Charles Brown before it is dealt with.

I will therefore state my views with respect to the subject-matter, and submit them for the consideration of the Committee.

The petitioner has occupied high and distinguished positions in the public service in the Provincial District of Taranaki, which entitles him to some consideration.

I have known him for the last thirty-five years, and I do not think he would knowingly do a dishonourable act such as is implied in the charge made against him.

That in his position as licensed interpreter he is practically an officer of the Native Lands Court, and therefore, as a matter of equity, the charge ought to have been submitted to that Court before being finally dealt with.

This procedure would be in accordance with the practice pursued in the case of a charge against a barrister or solicitor, who are officers of the Supreme Court. The charge is disposed of by the Judges.

I therefore submit that the Committee, without expressing any final judgment on the merits of the petitioner's case, might properly recommend that the matter be inquired into and reported on by the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, as the fittest tribunal to deal with the case.

Yours, &c.,

Thomas Kelly.

The Chairman, Public Petitions Committee.

Thomas Avery, Printer, Devon-street, New Plymouth.