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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume IV, Issue 8, 15 September 1857, Page 1

In a former number of the Maori Messenger we alluded to the land question, and to the unseuled and complicated mode of holding lands under native tenure. It is now very well known that land in New Zealand is held by the natives as a family or tribe, but not as individuals; no one in New Zealand, holding under native tenure, with very few exceptions, can point out a single pitch of land to which he has a clear and undisputed title. He may, indeed, use and occupy many portions of what he claims in common with the tribe for his subsistence and cultivation; butifheattempt to exercise exclusive ownership, even over what he cultivates, or attempts to sell it, his right to do so is contested ; and innumerable claimants spring up to vindicate their equal or better right, as the case may be, to the land in question. There are no books, or written records of any kind, to prove to Tvhom the land really belongs : old men acquainted with the history of the claims are appealed to, but their memories are often very treacherous; and, even if they are not, they are disposed to act with undue partiality, by countenancing the party whose interest they espouse, to the exclusion of the just rights of those who may be the actual proprietors.

Nothing can be more unsatisfactory to the natives themselves than the ill defined state of their rights and claims. Numerous meetings are held to discuss the question of ownership, but these meetings frequently end without any result; each, or all, of the parties claiming the disputed land consider themselves in the right; and, even if they do not, their pride will seldom allow them to acknowledge that their opponents have a better title to the land than themselves. This gives rise to disputes, which frequently end in an appeal to arms; some are killed on both sides, but still the question of the real ownership of the land remains undecided. Land, women, and canoes have been the fruitful sources of discord among the New Zealandcrs. We know of numerous cases, even since the British Government has been established in these islands, in which'many valuable lives have been lost in fighting for so me useless eel cut,kumara ground,karakagrove, pig hunt, bird snaring forest, land for cultivation, or for any of the various .purposes for which it may be deemed of any value. We cannot help deploring the evils arising from this system of holding land in common; more particularly when we feel that its bad effects are not confined to the ; present generation, but that it will extend itself to posterity. It is time, then, .to direct serious attention to the evils of this system ; 'it is time, also, to search out a remedv. This we are prepared with, when the natives themselves, who are most deeply interested in the subject express their willingness to adopt a belter defined and more secure mode of holding properly.

Rangiawhia, August 29ih, 185 7. friend, the Editor of the Maori Messenger. Salutations to you. . Yourletter has reached us, and we have seen it; it is good, and our hearts are exceeding glad, because you have published our notice respecting our land having been divided into separate portions for each individual of our tribe, of Nsatiapakura. ° Friend, the Editor of the Maori Messenger we are endeavouring to find out some European method, or regulation, by which we shall advance in civilization, and acquire yealth by following the European customs. It is on this .account that we have divided tiielandmto differentportions, which hitherto PPPP allowed to lie neglected. This syjiiem will then serve as a model for the

oilier tribes who are living in ignorance, to incite them also to seek some system for themselves. We, the Chiefs of Rangiawhia, considered the confused state in which our lands were; and, therefore we determined to adopt the customs of the Europeans, in order that there should be no more confusion on account of our lands; and that each person might work quietly on his own portion, and reap the fruits of the earth. Friend, the Editor of the Maori Messenger, do you hearken. We have formed a Land Committee, and have divided our laud into separate portions for each individual of our own tribe, the Ngatiapakura. The other tribes must think for themselves ; they have now been shewn by the Chiefs of Rangiavhia how to act with respect to the Maori land. think that this system is a very good one; it is one which does not cause confus- j ion about the land ; there is no evil or death I connected with this system, and the end will j be, that the men who follow it will acquire influence and wealth in this world. It will' be also for the Governor and yourself to per-j form your part, by instructing us, so that wisdom may grow up among us. Others also have followed our system; Te Poihipi Tukairangi, a Chief of Taupo, and his people, they also have acted upon this talk. T hey have divided their land into portions for each individual of their own tribe of Ngatiruiugarangi, te Hikutu, and Ngalirangita. Let this communication be published in the Maori Messenger, that it may be seen by our Maori friends. Friend, the Editor of the Maori Messenger, this is to convey our message to you, that you be diligent in instructing us in the customs of the Europeans every year. This is all that we have to say to you. This letter is from the Chiefs of Rangiawhia. Wiremu Toetoe Tumohi. Taati Wareka Te Waru. Taati Hou Te Huriwui, Taniati Te Tarabangar Te Wirihana Mulu. Te Munu. Pakiwhero Noho Molu. Te Ara Noho Molu. Penetita Te Wharunga. Turi Manu. Koiohiko Ngahape.

Rolohiko Tulaku. Te Matenga- Te Wi. Mamuka. Hoani Ng a rem go. Te Kingi Te Waraiigh Te Wano Tarakaka. Te PoihipiTukairangi, of Taupo. Nfew Plymouth, August 24th, 1857. This is a paper containing the laws followed by the Assessors and the twelve (Jurymen) of Whaingaroa— If a person comes on a visit, and has a bopse, when he arrives at the settlement, the men of the settlement are to take charge of; the horse. If, through their neglect, it dies,' it must be paid for. If a horse comes, and eats at a slack of. wheat, or potatoes, or pumpkins, if the fence is bad, no damage will be awarded; but, if the fence is good, and what it contains is destroyed by horses or cattle, then payment must be made. If one man asks another for the loan of his horse, and it dies through his haying, ridden it, it must be paid for. If a man.comes with a horse, and says to! another, "Will you allow my horse to stay I in your paddock or stockyard ?" he must I pay; but if the owner of the paddock or stockyard said that the horse or the cow might slay there, then no payment need be made. If he spoke with reference to a house, the regulation is the same; the same rules extend to (dwelling) houses and stables. I If one person disputes the boundary of! another, and his objection is not correct, the boundary shall remain Hie same. I his is all. Ihese are the things determined upon by the Assessors of the Queen i and the Governor. These laws will be effectually carried out. From the Assembly at New Plymouth, Wbaingaroa.