AHB Stanford and JG Leary were appointed acting magistrates for the territory of West Pondoland as from 4 May 1894 (Government Gazette No 7610 dated 29 May 1894, Government Notice No 581 dated 21 May 1894). West Pondoland was divided into the districts Libode and Ngqeleni in September 1894 (Government Gazette No 7645 dated 28 September 1894, Proclamation No 341 dated 25 September 1894). AHB Standford was appointed Resident Magistrate for the district of Libode with effect from 25 September 1894 (Government Gazette No 7645 dated 28 September 1894, Government Notice No 946 dated 25 September 1894).

The Magistrate of Libode was also appointed Native Commissioner as from 1 October 1928 (Government Gazette No 1734 dated 26 October 1928, Government Notice No 1865 of 1928).