DEED OF CESSION COURT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 107, 22 November 1873, Page 2

DEED OF CESSION COURT.

Gisborne, November 19, 1873.

[Before Mr. Commissioner Monro, (Chairman), and Mr. Commissioner Rogan.

The Court opened at 10 a.m.

Mr. Locke appeared as Crown Agent. Mr. Hamlin appeared on the part of certain natives interested in the Rangatira Block. The list of blocks surveyed was called over and an attempt made to get one on for hearing. It was found that every case would be disputed. Mr. Monro addressed the natives assembled, urging them to try and settle their quarrels amongst themselves, and not fight in Court, that the Commissioners came for the express purpose of giving them back their land, but they wanted to know who to give it to. A long consultation then took place betwen the Commissioners and Mr. Locke as to the desirability of adopting some plan so that the sittings of the

Court might be closed. Wi Perc made a proposition, viz., that the land be given to the three tribes, Ai tangn a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata, and Ngaitahupo, certain persons to be elected out of each to hold the estate in trust. This idea seemed to meet with general approval, and Mr. Locke and the natives have been engaged all day endeavoring to carry out Wi Pere’s suggestion. Thursday, November 20. On the sitting of the Court at 2 p.m. to-day, an attempt was made to put the Awapuni Block through, claimed by Riparata Kahutea. The claimant made out a prima facie case, and on objectors being challenged, Mr. Cuff, assisted by Mr. Tucker, stated, that they appeared for Captain Read, and a number (about 50) objectors. Neither Mr. Cuff nor Mr. Tucker seemed prepared to conduct their clients’ case, and a general uproar and tumult having arisen, the Commissioners recommended the parties to arrange their disputes outside, and come forward next day (tomorrow.) The Court adjourned accordingly to Friday, November 21. The Court opened at 10 a.m. Mr. Cuff brought forward the ease of tho Awapuni Block, the examination of the witnesses and others in which, occupied the Court nntil 2 o’clock when a new complication arose by Wi Haronga saying that the whole of the block was claimed by the Ai tanga a mahaki tribe, and made out a very good case in substantiation of their claim. Ultimately the Court, finidngso many conflicting claims set up to this block, besides the whole of the Ai tanga a mahaki tribo; and in view of the fact that this land, including the adjoining Waikanae Block, had been occupied according to native custom for many years by nearly every Maori in the Bay, decided on dismissing the case, and to adjourn until the following day (Saturday) for the purpose of entertaining Mr. Locke’s sugget - tions as to an intertribal partition of tho whole ceded territory.