ISLANDS OFF PAIHIA

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 290, 5 September 1942, Page 8

ISLANDS OFF PAIHIA

Claim By The Crown

Dominion Special Service.

AUCKLAND, September 4.

Original land purchase deeds, dating back well over 100 years, were produced before the Native Appellate Court when it was hearing argument concerning the ownership of two small islands lying off Paihia in the Bay of Islands, Motu Maire and Motu Orangi. In a recent judgment, Mr. F. O. V. Acheson, judge of the Native Land Court, held that these islands were “papatupu” or customary native land. Against this the Crown, represented by Mr. V. R. Meredith and Mr. O. A. Darby, appealed, contending that the islands were surplus lauds of the Crown. , . The original deeds of purchase showed that Motu Orangi was purchased by the Rev. Henry Williams on behalf of the Church Missionary Society On September 13, 1823, from Maori chiefs, and that Motu Maire was similarly purchased by him on October 24, 1828. Mr. .Meredith said that these formed part of several purchases made by the Church Missionary Society in that area. '-The land claims commissioners subsequently appointed to inquire into titles were restricted by statute to "rant to purchasers a maximum of 2560 acres. Any area which purchasers purported to hold above that fell to the Crown as demesne land and was known as surplus laud. These islands were such “surplus land. The Court reserved Hs decision.