“ We shall sell to no man justice or right: We shall deny to no man justice or right: We shall defer to no man justice or right.”

The early closing of the Deed, of Cession Commission Court, and the termination of what promised a short time since to agitate the country for many months to come, was as unexpected as the result was satisfactory. The political import ance to the colony of a peaceable solution of the difficulties which have compassed the confiscated land question on this coast since the fiat first went forth against the rebel tribes, can hardly be measured by a few words of approval or congratu lation : and possibly the great majority of settlers in the district and elsewhere, not intimately connected with, or directly interested in, the scheme of confiscation, are unable to see clearly through the hazy vista of circumstances that surround

it, and to realize the great advantages that will follow the adoption of the Report of the Commissioners by the Government, on one of the most import ant investigations in which the colony has ever been engaged. As we have reported, the natives, acting on the sug gestion of the Crown Agent, Mr. Locke, have accepted terms that, according to our view of the matter, are but an instal ment of justice to which they were entitled years ago; and the Commis sioners accordingly recommend that the remainder of the Ceded Block, ex cepting, of course, those portions already passed by their Court, and the lands retained by Government on account of Hauhaus, should be handed over in globo to the following tribes, namely, Ai tanga a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata, Ngaita iiupo, and Ngatikahungunu, quite irre spective of any and all individual claims, thus leaving them free to enjoy the luxury of free trade in the disposition of their properties, given to them under the Native Lands Act.
