A BIG CLAIM.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1928, Page 1

A BIG CLAIM.

SITE OF CHRISTCHURCH. ALLEGED PURCHASE IN 1839. AUCKLAND. Jan. 13. A claim to 20,000 acres “ the site of the eitv of Christchurch,” is made by the family of the late Patrick N. K. Byrne, resident in Australia. The eldest claimant is 89 years of age and the youngest 75 years. Thtu is outlined in a letter received in Auckland from Air George Byrne, of Aimerley. Queensland. Plis father, the writer asserts, purchased the land at what was then known as Port Levey, from the .Maori chief •• liogama.” in 1839, while New Zealand was still administered by New South Wales, the purchase being gazetted in New South Wales on December 9th. 1810. The price paid for tinland is not mentioned, but presumaim it .satisfied “ liogama.” The late Air Byrne then returned to Sydney, placed the matter before the Government, received its approval, paid the price, and purchase was confirmed by Gazette notice. “ A few years later.” says Air G. Byrne, “ New Zealand was granted separation, and the new Government notified lather that it would he necessary to register the transaction under it. Father straightaway sent his application for registration by his friend. Captain .Murray, who was a regain trader to New Zealand. He also gave Captain Af.nrrny £25 to pay for the deeds and deliver them to him on his return. Captain Murray duly arrived in New Zealand, but on his return trip the ship was lost with all hands. Father thus had no evidence that his application had been lodged, and his subsequent efforts to get a satisfactory acknowledgement from the Government proved futile.”

Later advice was received that as the late Mr Byrne had failed to register the land it had been disposed of to others. Thirty-five years ago a member of the family who had gone to reside in New Zealand made an investigation, and according to the writer, found his father’s application pinned in the deed hook of 18K). A. New Zealand politician had promised to bring the matter before the House of Representatives, but the war came and nothing was done. Since then Air G. Byrne was in communication with the late Air Massey on the subject, the last advice received being that the late Air Byrne had withdrawn his claim. This the present writer considers absurd, seeing that lie had secured the land by purchase and he had no doubts that the deeds were lost in Captain Murray’s ship. He has suggested the formation of a syndicate to fight the claim.