The Short Title of this Act is “The Native Land Acts Amendment Act, 1882.”

In “The Native Land Court Act, 1880,” the following amendments are hereby made:— Section fourteen of the said Act is hereby repealed.

In “The Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, 1881,”—

In “The Native Succession Act, 1881,”—

And whereas the business of the Court would be facilitated by the establishment of local registries and offices, be it further enacted as follows:—

And whereas much inconvenience has been experienced from the existence of surveyors’ and other liens, which it is expedient should be removed:

Be it enacted that, in any such case, the payment by any person into the office of the Public Trustee of the sum of money at the time protected by such lien to the account of the Native Land Court in the matter of the block of land named, and ex parte the person who originally obtained the lien, shall be an absolute discharge of such lien, and shall be recorded by the Court accordingly. The money so paid to the Public Trustee shall be held in trust for the person entitled to the lien, and may, on application and sufficient proof, be paid accordingly.

And whereas claims to land have been heard and decided, or partly decided, and proceedings have been taken by the Native Land Court under the “Native Land Act, 1873,” and its amendments, in which sundry provisions of the said Acts have not been technically complied with:

Be it enacted that, on the application of any person interested either originally or derivatively in any such land, it shall be lawful for the Court to inquire into the matter, and make such order respecting the same as shall appear to the Court justly to remedy any mistake or any error in the proceedings:

An indorsement made by the Court, in pursuance of any such order, on any instrument of disposition shall be valid and effectual for effecting the objects specified in such order, and an entry shall be made in the Registry of the Land Transfers and Registry of Deeds Offices to the effect that such order has been made.

And whereas doubts have arisen as to the jurisdiction of the Native Lands Court in the division of lands held by Natives as joint tenants under Crown grant:

Be it declared and enacted that orders and decrees for division and award, made without opposition at the time of hearing by the Native Land Court, under the provisions of “The Native Land Act, 1873,” and amendments thereto, of lauds so held as aforesaid, shall be and be deemed to have been from the date of such orders as valid and effectual as if the Native Land Court had, at the time of the making of such orders, full jurisdiction to divide or award land so held as aforesaid:

Provided that, in any case where opposition was made at the time of hearing, the Court may, within six months after the passing of this Act, rehear the same on the application of any of the parties, in like manner as is provided in the seventh section of this Act, and make a new order therein in accordance with the justice of the case.