WAI-O-HI-HARORE SECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 919, 18 June 1903, Page 3

WAI-O-HI-HARORE SECTIONS.

At the Native Land Court yesterday His Honor Judge Mair heard further evidence in regard to the value of the land on tho Waikanao, taken by the Public Works Department for railway purposes. Peka Kerokere said they had come to tho conclusion that the road should be the dividing lino between the railway and the Maoris’ land. The Maoris agreed to the railway having the north side of tho road, and that six acres should go to the Harbor Board. He was confident the matter would be arranged—the only difficulty was as to whore the road would bo taken. Mr Chrisp said tho instructions ho had received from some of his clieuts who were interested as owners in the land were that they did not waut any reserved for the Natives. There were two classes among tho owners, those who wished the railway io take the land and those who did not—sJ ers a-id nonsellers. His Honor : That would be a partition of the land.

Mr Chrisp said that in his opinion it was a question of partition after the matter beioro the Court had been settled. His Honor: All the Court has been asked to do is to fix tho question of compensation. Mr Chrisp seid tho Court would need to go further than that, and ascertain the shares and to whom they should be paid. Air Thomson said it was in tho interests of the Natives that the Department had agreed to give back this land on tbo seaward side of the road. The Court then adjourned until to-day, pending the parties endeavoring to effect a settlement.