NATIVE LANDS COURT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 249, 20 February 1875, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS COURT.

The Native Lands Court was formally opened for the despatch of business in the Court House, Gisborne, on Wednesday last. Present :—Judge Rogan, presiding, and Hone Peti and Wikiriwhi Te Tuaba, Assessors. Mr. E. G. Woon was sworn in as interpreter to the Court.

Mr. Skeet was called to answer to the application of Henare Potae relative to the amount charged for the survey of the Anaura Block, but not being in attendance, claim ordered to stand at bottom of list.

Wairoro (Uawa) Block. On Karauria Pah lira, claimant, being called stated that the Wairoro at head of list had been already dealt with. The Court then explained that the claim of natives living at a distance would be dealt with first, and as they did not seem prepared to go on with their cases the Court would adjourn till next day to enable the claimants to settle the order in whjch their claims would be taken. By hearing<elsiinants from a distance first the Court whsi of opinion that unnecessary expense woidd bCAaved thereby. Thursday, February 18. Maraetaha Block. An application was made by Hemi Waaka for the sub-division of this block; the Court decided that this would have to stand over until other cases on the list were disposed of. Wairoro Noe. 1 and 2 (Uawa) Blocks, as there were no maps in Court these cases were also ordered to stand over. Mangarara, (Uawa) Block. Mr. Drummond, the surveyor, being absent, and no map before the Court, consideration deferred. Tokomaru Block, 21,267 acres. After some discussion as to the ease being proceeded with, or otherwise, and as to various claimants’ rights, the Court decided that ns every publicity had been given, the case must be proceeded with. Henare Potae being sworn, said :■ —I live at Tokomaru ; am a member of the Whanau a Rua tribe ; the land is surveyed, (map produced). The tribes Nga te Hau, and Nga Tira claim for the western portion of the block. (Boundaries described). The Whanau a Rua tribe claim the north-western portion of the block. My particular claim is on the Whanau a Rua portion. I also claim in the other portion of the block. My claim is ancestral and by right of conquest. I give the names of claimants to the upper portion of Whanau a Rua territory. At this stage the Court adjourned to allow the claimants an opportunity of settling a dispute relative to a portion of the block. On the Court again opening, Henare Potae’s evidence was resumed as follows : —We have agreed that the claim shall be proceeded with. I have omitted Miriama Turahire’s name from among the claimants to the smaller portion. The persons I have named are the principal claimants to the smaller portion of the block as shewn by me. I shall now name the Claimants, to the subdivisions in the block as claimed by the several hapus. Hirini Whnkataka expressed a wish for a subdivision of portion of the block. The Court stated the claim must be proceeded with as initiated, and that the question of sub-division could come afterwards. Henare Potae then submitted the names, the list of which was not completed at therising of the Court.

Major Ropata made an application to the Court to have the following claims heard at Waiapu, viz., Ahikouka, Aliio te Aina. Matakoa, Tuakau, Maika, Rotokoutuku, Weraopoutea, Miranni, Tupapakura. Cases to be heard on the 12th April. As accomodation is to be had it was understood that the application will be favorably entertained. Friday, February 19.

Hearing of Tokomaru Block resumed.— Henare Potae gave in the names of additional claimants of the Whanau a rua, as also the Nga te hau and Nga ti ra tribes, and intimated that he would leave it to those who wished to do so, to claim in certain portions of the block.

Mr. Assessor Hone said that when the Court adjourned yesterday to enable claimants to adjust differences of tribal boundary, they were told that the questions of sub-division could not be entertained, but was one for future consideration ; the Court was ready to receiveany further applications from claimants to the Block.

After a pause, Hone, again addressing Henare Potae, said—Yesterday you told the Court that the land belonged to certain tribes, and that it is held by right of conquest. You will now explain these two points. Henare Potae—The stem from which mv ancestors come is Kahukuranui. The title by right of conquest comes through Hinemauea. I belong to the land. The tribo was not known by any particular name at that time. Our tribe is called after his daughter, Ruataupare, that is why we are known as the Whanauarua. The cause of quarrel by which we inherited the land was an insult offered to her in her old age. The insuiters were driven off and settled nt the East Cape and Te Kaha ; that tribe is known as the Whanau a Pani. Ruataupere’s descendants have lived and held possession of the territory from that time, and (ire still living upon it. The Court asked if there were any objectors to Henare’s statement as to ancestry, and right of conquest inheritance, or to the names of claimants as put in. Mohi Ruatapu having confirmed Henare’s statement as to tribal right,-and-no objections having been made, declared that so soon as the names of claimants had been revised, a memorial of ownership would be issued. At the afternoon sitting Henare Potae complained to the Court about the surveyor’s fees for Tokomaru Block ; he had charged 4d an acre instead of l|d, as allowed by the scale. Mr. Locke stated that the Native Minister sanctioned the survey of the block, and that in the face of a written agreement at lid, the surveyor has charged 4d. Judge Rogan said that the surveyor had made no charge as far as the Court knew. Mr Locke : The account has been sent to me. Judge Rogan : We know nothing of the survey ; there is nothing before the Court. Mr. Eiffc must come forward to the Court about his charges. There is now no record in the matter before the Court. The surveyor should have putin his claim to the Court. Mr. Locke : The surveyor is only entitled to charge £132. Judge Rogan : There will bo no record against the Block for the survey fees as the surveyor has sent no account in. Henarc Potae made an application for receivers to be appointed to collect the rent accruing under lease of the Tokomaru Block. The Court informed the applicant that he must confer with his people, and when agreed the matter can be arranged. Waikohu Matawal 43,479 acres. This Block Was adjourned from sittings of Court in October, 1874. Judge Rogan stated that this case has been called on not so much for the purpose of being heard to day as to let those interested know that the case woidd be ready for hearing tomorrow, at 10 o’clock, to enable those interested to attend.