EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1010, 1 October 1903, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

TUPAROA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Tai-Rawhiti Maori Land Council has been sitting all week, those present being the President (Judge Jones), and members R. T. Gill, Wi Potae, Pene Heiti, and Epanaia Whaanga. They commenced their sittings on Monday 21st, but owing to the flooded state of the Waiapu river no matters were taken till Tuesday. On that day the Block Committee’s report as to the owners of the Ohinepoutea Block of 5000 acres was confirmed by the Council, there being no objectors. The passing of the title of this first block was made the occasion of many complimentary references by some of the Natives present, who pointed out to the others the simplicity of this method of investigating their titles. Investigating committees were also set up in the Kokai (1300 acres) and the Turangarahui (508 acres) Blocks. These committees have set up without any hitch, Paratene Ngata being elected as Chairman. On Wednesday and Thursday the consideration of the Tutuwhinau Block (1450 acres) was taken. There was an objector in this case, his complaint being that although he had been in the block the wrong ancestor had been adopted. Council dismissed the objection, and confirmed the report. They also appointed investigating committees in the Mangawhariki (7150 acres) and Hurakia (9450 acres) Blocks. On Friday the consideration of the Waiorongomai Block (13,500 acres) was commenced and took up the whole of the day. The objector’s principal ground of complaint was that the committee had debarred him from setting up a claim because he was late. The hearing was continued on Saturday, when after deliberation the Council dismissed the objection—the objector expressing his satisfaction with the decision, and the report on this block was confirmed, with slight modifications.

Upon the regular business of the Council being completed a number of the leading chiefs arose and congratulated the Council and the President upon the good work that had been done, making also a feeling reference to Judge Gill; the latter thanked the Natives for their kind expressions, and bade themgood-bye as it wasnotlikely he would see them again. The President, in replying, paid a high compliment to the work of the committees, and especially of the ability displayed by theirchairman, Mr Paratene Ngata, whose good work has considerably lightened the labors of the Council. Before adjourning the Council to Awanui reference was made to the death of the member of the Council, Heta to Kani, and a minute expressing appreciation of his services was ordered to be inserted on the minutes of the Council.

Among other important instances in Tuparoa is the visit of Dr Pomaro, who has vaccinated no less than 50 children here alone, and has also mado a sanitary inspection of the pahs, etc., and lam glad to see has condemned some of the so-called places of habitation to be burnt, and caused certain springs (Tuparoa abounds in springs) to be utilised and all refuge and rubbish to be buried. Dr Pomaro explained different diseases, their causes and treatment, and lectured natives severely on the liquor question, advising them to be more temperate, for he noticed a fair number of drunks on his visit here, he also spoke of the proposed hospital at Waipiro and advised the Natives to subscribe well. His address was listened to with great, interest and much appreciated, but it is a great pity the Government could not send the doctor round here more often, say, for instance, once a year, as it is a good many years since he paid this part a visit. Dr Pomaro on being shown Jackson’s wind and rain excluder spoke of it in a very complimentary way, and said in order to provent the rain constantly entering the doors of their houses it would be highly advisable for the Maoris to adopt the plates and have them placed on their new houses. Owing to the Native Land Court not having time enough to finish the present gazette wo hope Government will send the Council up early in,March to finish the work, as the applications have been sought and applied for no less than five years.