DEED OF CESSION COMMISSION

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 83, 30 August 1873, Page 2

DEED OF CESSION COMMISSION

Gisbornr, ‘‘ Thursday, 28th August. [Before Mr. Munro, and Mr. 7 Commissioner Rogan.] **■ . ;■ '■ . ■■ The Court opened this morning at 10 o’clock. - 'S WAIKOHU CLAIM?

The whole of Tuesday and Wednesday was occupied in the investigation of claims made to this block; and tracing the genealogy of the several claimants. The Court now proceeded to give judgment thereon, which was that the award of the Commissioners would be made in favor oi Panapa Waihopi and hie co-claimants: — A counter claim made by Kate Wyllie and others at a previous sitting, was not proved that it was according to native custom “ Matautao ” (cold) they never having occupied the land. ~ Letter from several natives interested- ffilhe Rangatira and other blocks was put in and read, stating they had handed over the entire management of their interests therein to Rapata Waha .Waha. . _ Faiiapa applied thatJiia claim to a portion of the Rangatira Block be heard. Mr. Hamlin stated that "unless the block was heard as a whole his clients would.notponje into court. Wi Harongu disputedTanapa’s claim to the Rangatira Block. Mr. Hardy, on account of; wife, said that She had not handed over her interest in the Rangatira Block to‘Rapat».Wuha Waha. Panapa applied that a clause be inserted ip the Crown Grant for Waikohu making it inalieuhble. The Courtsaid it had not lb® J power to dothis, but would TeeOmmend it in the award to the Government.

Fimia and another stated that hll'flie elaiips to land applied* for were disputed, and treat a number of the persons interested, belonging to Kongowhakaata t ribe were absent. Mr. Wyllie l informed the Court that an organized opposition exists to prevent all" halfcastes, of which his wife was one—from fitting claims to land, through the Court. Kate Wyllie said that the majority of those interested with Panapa in Waikohii* arc Hr.uhaus arid hail been in rebellion. The Court, informed Iler that Mr. Locke, who was in Court, was the proper person to object to them.

Mr. Hamlin put in an account of £234 due to Mr. Skeet for the WaikdhX survey ; and applied that a lien for that amount be registered against the land. ; ■, ;* The Court Mr. Hamlin that the survey of the block was not complete; the southern boundary hadDOtz beep cut, nor ptoperly 4fjewn on the map before the Court. .♦ >. A document signed by a riOiiiber of influential natives was fiafrded - into the Court . requesting that the consideration 1 '• of the Rangatira, Rakaiketeroa, and Whatatutu Blocks be deferred to a future sitting of the Court. The Commissioners , said that,if a majority did not desire to have their claims investigated, of.coursc their wish should be complied with. The hearing of claimants .in the Rangatira, Whatatutu, and Rakaiketeroa blocks, was accordingly postponed «i»e die. The Court adjourned to Saturday the 30th inst. - . , . ,1