NATIVE LANDS COURT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 109, 29 November 1873, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS COURT.

[Before Judge Monro, (President), Judge Rogan, and Assessor Wiremu Hi Kaibo.J The Court has sat during the week hearing claims to land under the Native Lands Act, and a very satisfactory progress has been made. The following blocks were ultimately passed : —lhunui Block 70 acres Tologa Bay, applied for by Karauria Pahura. Anaura Block 8800 acres, applied for by Henare Potoe and others. Kaiti Block 4000 acres applied for by Riperata Kahutia and others and opposed by Hirini, and Rutene and others. Mr. Hamlin appeared for Hirini and others ; Mr. Cuff for Captain Read and others ; and Mr. Tucker for Riperata Kahuitia and others. Riperata stated that her ancestors had held the land in common with the ancestors of the opposers, and that since the death of her father, Kahutia, Hirini and party had leased the land and appropriated the rent, refusing her any portion. Hirini stated that the land was his and denied Riperata’s claim. Rutene gave similar evidence as also did Ihaka te Ngarangi One, Hare Wahie on being closely questioned admitted th it he knew of Kahutia’s claim. He admitted having seen Kahutia’s cultivations. Riperata addressed the Court at great length and proved conclusively that she had an equal claim with Hirini’s party, but that hitherto it had been ignored, lest she should bring Mrs. Wyllie’s name in with her’s.

Judge Monro after patiently and lucidly summing up the evidence, decided that Riperata Kahutia’s ancestors had held the land in common with Hirini’s as one family ; that neither had dispossessed the other, and that there should be nine names in the Crown Grant, six to be named by Hirini’s party and three by Riperata’s party, this decision appeared to give general satisfaction. Captain Read stated that he occupied a portion of the Kaiti Block for wliich he had paid three

years rent, and laid claim to the site of his old store on the ground that it was a gift from Kahutia and others, and that he hod occupied for more than 21 years, without paying rent. He had always heard that Kahutia was an owner. The Court decided not to adjudicate in this matter but to grant the whole block and leave Captain Read to take hereafter what steps he may deem fit.