The Short Title of this Act is “The Maori Prisoners Detention Act, 1880.”

All Natives who, on or since the nineteenth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and eighty, have been arrested by the authority of the Government in that part of the colony situated between the White Cliffs and the River Waitotara, on the West Coast of the North Island, or who may hereafter during the existence of this Act be arrested by such authority there or in any other part of the West Coast, shall be deemed to have been and to be detained under the provisions of “The Maori Prisoners Act, 1880,” as effectually as if such Natives were included within the terms of that Act.

Provided that the detention authorized by this Act shall in no case extend beyond the last day of October, one thousand eight hundred and eighty.

The term “Native” in this Act means any person of the aboriginal native race, and includes any half-caste of such race.