THE NATIVE LANDS COURT.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 49, 30 March 1878, Page 2

THE NATIVE LANDS COURT.

The Njative Lands Court, which has n'oi^b^n&^ttin'g in Palinerstousince the 21sfc jinsfcaiifc, lids nearly concluded its labors'; tlie heavy cases have, been disposed of, and it is expected to-day will finish up the minor ones.. The principal matter in dispute, and to give evidence in vvhich most of the Chiefs appeared in ■Court, was the right of possession to the Aurangi Block. This valuable piece of^ land, is situated near Awa Huii, aiKF comprises about 20,000 acres; but although the ground in question is a heavy monetary consideration, the claim to possession was not viewed by the various tribes of equal importance as the right to the title of JVlana. The ease was heard at Foxton as far back as the year 1873, but neither the evidence then 'adduced, nor the decision giveiij seems to have satisfied the Natives, as during the five years which liave intervened since then tlie matter has been a

constaut source of dispute between the Ngati Kauwwhata, Rangatana, and Ngati Apa tribes. Governor Hunia, as chief of the latter, has felt especially sore about the Foxton decision, arid came down to "the present meeting determined to contest his right to be Mana to the utmost. As, of course, no European would be allowed to plead in the case, the interests of the Ngati Kauwhatas were attended to by Hema Te Ao, a chief of/the Otaki tribe, and the manner iu which he acquitted himself of his 7> t.ask elicited the most unqualified praise from both friend and foe. It is well known that all Maoris possess the gift of oratory, that they are never at a loss for language to convey their ideas, bub their harangues are full of metaphor and appeal? to the feelings. Hema Te Ao's speech, however, was of a very different character ; it was diy, logical, and to the point.. Facts took the place of fancy, and as each witness for the Ngati Apas gave his evidence it was noted down, to be analyised and dissected in a manner which left not a weak point untouched. The Judge and other officers of the Court expressed themselves as thoroughly amazed at the display of charasfcorisH -j so completely foreign to the Maori nature ; and althouglrHema Te Ao's speech may not have; actually been instrumental in affecting the decision of the Court, there can be no doubb that to him is owing the fact that each claimant is thoroughly satisfied with the award. The Court has upheld the ruling of that of 1873, and decreed that the land should be equally divided between the three tribes. It is satisfactory to know that not only is the matter now finally set at rest, but that all parties are thoroughly satisfied with the decision. .This is the more surprising, as even up" to the rising of Hema Te Ao, tribal feeling was at its highest, and on Thursday Governor Hunia had discarded his suit of shepherd's plaid and bell-topper, donned his war dress, arid paraded defiantly about, Mere in hand. During the discussion in Court Honi Mason and the Governor had a little w.ordy warfare, at the close of which his sable Excellency, casting a glance of^contempt at his opponent, said : "It is well for you it is not a dozen of years back, or I would come down : here with my tribe and eat you." To this Honi Mason coolly replied., "I don't doubt it. You eat my father, and I suppose you would have no objection to eat me also." However, now the hatchet is buried, yesterday the of peace was smoked, and £100 is to be spent before ; separation to cement 4he new borid of friendship. The order for certificates" for the land.as now apportioned. will be issued to-dav, w;hen the Court returns to Otaki. ■With-the settlement of the Aurarigi Block, has passed away all cause of dispute, and there' is only one piece of land on this side of theisland about which there -can '-be any difficulty and that is the Taonui Block, comprising an area of 3000 acres, which was sold by mistake at the same time as the Palmers'ton one. The G-overriment, however, are quite willing to return the land, the only difficulty being to determine as to the particular' individual Natives who have a clairii. Yesterday evening; it was deterrniried to wind up the proceedings with a feast, arid in ; the afternoon the various tribes took' up their respective positions in the Square, the Chief of each haranguing his people in turn. Placed at the top were two hogsheads of beer, a five-gallon keg of brandy, cases of wine and. Old Tom, together with two dozen tins of assorted biscuits,~and four dozen boxes of sardines, on the top of which there were "seventy brand-new £l notes, the balance of the £100 which had not been expended in refreshments. After the preliminaries had been gone through, the refreshments were divided irito five lots, and a Chief at the dictation of Governor Hunia called, upou each tribe to claim its portion, while Honi Mason distributed to their representatives their share of money, the beer was rolled away to the various camps, the feasting commenced, and was kept up with spirit, the. whole proceedings winding'up with a ball in the Foresters' Hall. We believe the Lands Court is notified to sit at Wanganui on the 10th of April, but as it is most improbable that it will have got through its business at Otaki by that time, it is more, than likely an officer will be despatched to iopen and adjourn the Court at Wanganui.