A STUDY IN LEGAL ADMINISTRATION AND RECORDS SHARON ...

convened by Justices McKeagney and Bétournay.
Chief Justice Morris announced just six Queen's Bench rules, ail having
to do with common law matterse In content, the rules followed those in use in
Ontario, which, in tum, were pattemed after those of England. Notably, three of
the regulations pertained to the records of the court, their proper creation and
submission to the prothonotary in charge. These niles for procedure and
practice were the first to be issued by the province's Court of Queen's Bench.
Morris' five years as Lieutenant-Govemor were dominated, as Archibald's
had been, by the issues of land disposition and settlement.' The survey, the
prospect of incoming Mennonite, Icelandic, and Ontario settlers, requirements
for reservations, and the deteriorating situation regarding Métis lands al1
demanded his attention. He appeared sympathetic to the plight of Manitoba's
indigenous people.47 It was through his efforts that Treaties 3, 4, 5, and 6 were
successfully negotiated, and Treaties 1 and 2 revised? Morris strongly urged
that administration of fndian affairs be by "Boards embracing the Governors of
Manitoba and the North-West Territoriesn but his advice was ignored?
One of the first communications that Morris received concerned Métis
lands? It was one of many sudi Ietters that pointed to the anxiety of the mixed-
blood people, and to their frustration with the changing landholding system in
the new province. Morris declared himself to be "between ... fanatic English
Orangemen and excited half-breeds and French; my sympathies have been with
the native mixed pop~lation."~' Though he had been an effective negotiator in