NATIVE LANDS COURT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 262, 7 April 1875, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS COURT.

Tuesday, March 30, 1875. [Before Judge Rogan (presiding); Hone Peti and WlKiiiiwni Te Tuaua, Assessors.] Okahuatiu Block, (continued.) Pimia Ata sworn said: Pakira owned this land from his ancestors. Bongo te urn ora wished to dispossess him. They fought about it on several occasions. The latter was driven off by Pakira. Muheke, a cripple was left by Bongo te uru ora in charge of his plantation. Pakira took Muheke from this place and killed him, when Bongo te uru ora heard of this he came again to fight. This was their principal quarrel. At the first fight at, Kauhanga no one was killed. They fought again next morning. It was on this occasion that Hikarongo and Hapara were sent for by Pakira to help him. Bongo te uru ora was defeated by Pakira before they arrived on the ground. That battle was decisive and Bongo te uru ora was driven off the land and his descendants never returned. Pakira’s descendants have occupied to this time. Their fires have burnt on this land. With respect to Mrs. Wyllie’s claim through the Here, I know nothing about it, neither do the old men on my side. Her statement with respect to Tapiki is also incorrect. The Otene referred to by her as occupying the land, did so as a connection of mine, as he was a descendant of Pokingaiwaho. Mrs. Wyllie is not a descendant of Here’s. Otene’s right was through his mother who was a descendant of Takihi. Otene died without issue. Pukemako was given to Hikarongo by Pakira. That piece was not lived on by Panapa’s line from Hikarongo. There was a division of lands and Panapa’s ancestors went elsewhere to Waikohumatawai and other places. Tapangaruatea is that child of Hikarongo’s whose descendants have the right to this land. 1 do not know how Panapa got a share of the rent, I suppose it was by his persistence. I am a descendant of Taupara, I putWi Mahuikain as a descendant of Haaki on his mothers side. I do not admit his right to share as a descendant of Taupara or those whom he wished to bring in with him as descendants of Taupara’s. By Mrs. Wyllie:_ You said that Tapiki got the land by an intermarriage. Your name was admitted by Tamati and me into the notices for this land because you was so persistent. Hine Whakamaua followed, supported by Hotorua who said : Pimia’s evidence as to the several fights between Pakira and Bongo te uruora is corn et, Panapa does not know where the land is, be has never been there. Mrs. Wyllie’s statement that Otene her relative cultivated at Okare, is correct. Otene’s mother belonged to the Whanauakai. The Kowhai belongs to Hoata. The whole

of the block belongs to the Whanauakai. There is no other tribe who have a claim to it. Wednesday, March 31, 1875. Okahuatiu Block, (Claimants’ case continued.) Paora Puta sworn: This land to which I point (Western end) is Pokingaiwaha’s and Pakira’s. The disputed position is at Pukemako, close to the edge of the bush. Pakemako belongs to Hinewhakamaua her right comes from her ancestor down to herself. She only has the right to this piece. Herewini is a child of mine. It is jointly ours. Herewini is ou the land, he belongs to the Whanauakai. I know’nothing as to Mrs. Wyllie’s rights to this land. It is true that her fathers lived with me but the land was not given to them. There was no land given on account of the intermarriage referred to by her. Panapa’s statement is true that he lias a piece, but I have it. It is at Muriawa. Pakira gave that land to Hikarongo. Wo took it back again. Wi Pere sworn, gave evidence of the same nature as the previous witness.