NATIVE LANDS COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 315, 12 January 1871, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS COURT.

THIS DAY.

[Before Jud£.e Manning, Judge Rogan,

and Native Assessors-]

CLAIM TO THE AROHA MOUNTAIN.

The Court sat at 10 o'clock, in a commodious room in Britomarfc Barracks. About 200 natives were present.

The land claimed is situated at the Upper Thames, and supposed to auriferous, having been prospected by Europeans and natives, judge Rogan, when sitting at Matamata, gave judgment in favour of the present possessors—the Ngatimaru tribe. The Ngatihauas got an order for the re-hearing of the case, and this proceeding was consequently in the nature of an appeal. Mr. MacCormick and Mr. Bennett appeared for the Ngatihauas. Mr. J. W. Preece acting as interpreter; Mr. Hesketh. appearing for the Ngatimarus, Mr. C. Davis acting as interpreter, and Mr. J. Mackay as Native Agent. Judge Manning said that before the Court heard any evidence, it should like to know if the land had been surveyed. He thought in every case it should be.

Mr. MacCormick said the Ngafurairus would not permit of a survey being held.

Judge Monro thought it right to insist on a survey being held, a3 it was a general rule that all claims should be surveyed before bringing them into Court. After some further remarks,

I Judge Manning said that he thought the opinion of the native assessors should be ascertained. For this purpose the Court adjourned for a short time.