A "HEADACHE" IN MAORI

Chronicle (Levin), 15 August 1947, Page 4

A "HEADACHE" IN MAORI

OWNERSHIP OF GREENSTONE MERE DISPUTED Considerable research into Maori history and custom will be, necessary in order to enable the Native Land Court to ascertain the legal ownership of a - greenstone mere, said to have once belonged to Te Rauparaha. Claiming that she is entitled.to possession of the mere by Maori custom, Rewa Roera, of Ohau, is' now "-seeking .legal aid to recover the stone from Teo Rene, of Porirua. Outlining the case to Mr. A. M. Goulding, S.M., in the Magistrates' Court, Levin,. Mr:« N. .M. Thomson, acting. on behalf of the plaintiff, said the mere had been lent by her some years ago to be placed on the body of a deceased relative at a ceremony at Porirua, where she claimed it had been removed and unlawfully retained by . defendant. Intensely strong sentimental value was placed on the mere by the plaintiff. Seeking the discontinuance of the case in the Magistrates' Court, Mr. Thomson said that in view of the amount of evidence as to custom and tradition that would be necessary, it would be more fitting for it to be continued in the Native Land Court. Agreeing to this proposal, 'Mr. J. P. Bertram, for defendant, indicated that the claim by plaintiff would be disputed by his client. The article under dispute seemed to be in the nature of an heirloom, said Mr. Goulding, and he agreed that in view of the circumstances it should be a matter for hearing in the Native Land Court.