SUPREME COURT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 32, 1 November 1907, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

. EXPENSES OF A TANGI. iThe oi'se between tho Public Trusteo (appellant.) j and ■ D; P. Loasbjv of Grey town,' storejee i.ior (respondent), which was set down for hearing- yesterdfty, was not taken,' owing to the at sc lice, through illness, of Mr. li. D. Roll.'lv.C., counsol' for the respondent. The 'question for consideration in this case is v/liothor the expenses of a tangi can bo taken out of a decoased 'native's estate. Upon tho death of Hamuo.ra Tamahau Mahupuku, a Wnirarapa chief of importance and wealth, his widow ordered from respondent goods' of a' total value of £92 for the tangi, tho account 1 ' 'running from January 15,' 1904, until June 28 of the sarfie year. Letters of adinimstnv cion in the estate were; on June 7, granted; to his 'v.idow, but, subsequently, the Public Trustee was appointed to administer'the cstato. In April,-, 1907, Loasby brought an action to recover the valuo of the goods, and Mr. W. P." James, i 5.M.,. gave judgment in his faviiir, holding that a deceased native's estate was liable for the expenses in connection vith a tangi.. Against this decision the Public Trustee now appeals. The case excited iV considerable amount of interest. Among others, Mr. Justice Palmer (Chief Judge of' the' Native Land Court) gave evidence ancient and modern Maori custom;. Tho hearing of the case on appeal lias been adjourned'sine die. Mr. Blair (Skerrett and Wylie) is acting for tho appellant; and Mr. H.'H. Ostler will appear with Mr. Bell, K.C., for the respondent. TO-DAY'S BUSINESS. At,i0.30 this morning, Mr. Justice Cooper will hol l a sitting in Chambers. This afternoon, Mr. Justico Cooper, sitting in Ba'.i'io, will hear, two cases on appeal— Aldridge v. Fairway and another, and Pea,cock v. ; A'.dridge. ■ ■■ • • s ()n Tuesday morning sentence will be passed on Georgo' M'Donald, committed on October 30, at Pahiatua, for theft:of a horse, etc.