MUNGANUI LAND CLAIMS.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 38, 25 April 1844, Page 2

MUNGANUI LAND CLAIMS.

The gross injustice committed by the late Government towards the unfortunate settlers in Doubtless Bay, is too well known by the public to render it necessary that all the circumstances of their case should be detailed ; the late fatal Native War that took place there (which was entiiely the result of the Government policy), excited curiosity, and led to investigation that has caused eveiy honest man acquainted with the affair to feel indignant at the course they have pursued. {The persecuted claimants in that district would even now have well grounded cause of alarm, as to the ultimate decision of their claims, while some of the most active agents in that unblushing piece ot dishonesty, occupy lucrative Government situations in the Colony, and have the ear of the Governor; were they not convinced that his ‘excellency is not the man to decide upon exparte statements, but will give an impartial hearing to both sides of the case. It is perfectly natural to suppose that those who were the willing tools of Go vt-mor Hobson and Mr. Shortland, in this business, will use all their ingenuity to defend their own conduct, and extenuate as much as possible the blame justly due to the part they took in it, and in order to succeed in their endeavours to exculpate themselves, they will no doubt mystify the circumstances of the case as much as possible, and invest it with difficulties, conjured up by themselves, that have no existence in reality, and will vanish before the light of truth as with the touch of a wand. We will only subjoin a few cogent arguments in favour of the Land Claimants at Munganui, and we will call upon those, if any can be found, who may feel interested in retarding a measure of justice long due to an industrious and patient class of settlers, to come forward and disprove any of the facts below stated if they can. Let them show any j just cause or impediment why these I claims should not be conceded, or ever after hold their peace. Twelve Reasons for conceding the Lands to the Munganui Claimants : Ist. Because they purchased of tbe Native Chiefs holding actual possession and cultivating extensively in the surrounding districts. 2nd. Because these Chiefs were born in the Bay and inherited it from their Fathers. 3rd, Because it was taken by their fathers in war more than 30 years ago, and they have held J undisturbed possession ever since. 4th. Because the resident Chiefs are nearly! related to the greatest and most powerful Chief! New Zealand can boast of, and one whose name’ s well known all over the Island, we abode to the celebrated Sbongi who went to England and was presented to George the Fourth, who gave him a complete suit of Armour, and 100 stand of arms. The mother of Rekiwa and Warekowri (the Chiefs of Munganui) was a sister to Sbongi. sth. Because many of the land claimants at Munganui, had lived a long time peaceably and unmolested on the land they bought, some of them more tbau eight years before the Government pur chased the land over their beads, which is a convincing proof they must have bought of the right owners, for any one who knows the least of Native customs must be awaie that if they bad settled upon land not fairly bought of the right owners, they would be robbed and turned off immediately. Gib. Because Puna Kurrihou, alias Nopera, of whom the Government purchased was not born at Doubtless Bay, and never was in possession of the said land, but professes t*> have a claim simply from the circumstance of bis tribe formerly occupy** ing it, more than thirty years ago belore tbe war in which it was taken front them. 7tb. Because according to Native customs, when a settlement is taken and conquered by force of arms it becomes the property of the conquerors ; and in this case conquest was followed up by possession, and the expulsion of the Turiarowa tribe, which took place more than thirty years ago a* is stated above.

Bh. Because tbe Government here have established a precedent in the case of the Bay of Islands claimants. Kororarika only a few years ago, was tire property of Pomare. who lost it in battle, and the land claimants derive their claim from pun* chases made from the present Chief, Rewas, and his people, and their claims are conceded although conquered so recently. 9th. Because Puna Kurrihou, alias Nopera, the non-resident Chief ot whom the late Government purchased the lands of Munganui, never would have urged his claim, but for the temptation which w?s too much for him to lesist, viz., the vessel, goods and money, which the Government promised him when he had established his right by force of arms.

iCtb. Because at the Court of Claims held by the Commissioner, Col. Godfrey, at Munganui, Puna .Kurrihou, alias Nopera, agreed to give up his claim to all the land purchased bv the Europeans, and be only contended for a share in that parr still left in possession of the natives and not sold. 11th. Because the Government has since treated will) the true, genuine, and resident Chiefs, Rekiwa, and Warekowri, fora piece of land, and have psid them some money, and given them a promissory note for a horse, thereby acknowledging the titlejjof the same Chiefs who sold to the settlers. 12th. Because Puna Kurrihou, alias NoperHa, was induced by the bribe offered him by the late Government, if lie established bis claim, to assemble his friends and allies, and promise them in die event of his success a share of the spoil; quently in 184 d they invaded the land of tjie Napuhis, and were again defeated in an obstinate battle on the Ururu River, in Doubtless Bay, when many of them were killed. Nearly all the principal Chiefs in the northern part of the Island were pres-nt, and alter this battle a treaty was entered into, when Noperha resigned f«r ever Iris claim to the land, and a iine of bouudery was agreed on.

To make any comments on the above would be an act of supererogation, but w e will venture to affirm that there has been no land in New Zealand purchased •of the Natives in a fairer or mote straightforward manner than that by the settlors at Munganui ; and we question if aiy other Native title is so good, because owing to tbe prevalence of war, previous (to the occupation of the Country by fhe British Government, land so frequently changed hands ; but here conquest was followed up by possession for thirty years, which according to English law itself would give a title ; but this is again confirmed by another great battle (brought on by the bribes of the late Government), and settled by a Congress of Chiefs, and (he Europeans there now hold peaceable possession.