NATIVE LANDS’ COURT, (Waipiro.)

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 277, 2 June 1875, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS’ COURT, (Waipiro.)

(Before Judge Rogan Esq., and Honi Peeti, Assessor. Mr. G. Woon, Clerk and Interpreter.) The Court opened at 10 a.m. on Monday 17th May. Captain Porter appeared on behalf of the Government. Mr. Locke, District Officer, was not in attendance. The first block passed through was Matakaoa in which there are 53 owners. Negotiations for the lease of this block are now going on. Botokautuku Block, 292 owners. This block was fouud to be claimed by two different sections of Ngatiporou; on it are the oil springs and for which Captain Porter has negotiated a lease for the Government, allowing the native owners a royalty of jd per gallon on all oil produced. Ahi-o-te Atua Block 426 owners, Passed. Ahikouka Block Which Mr. Hargrave is in treaty for, was adjourned on the application of Captain Porter.

Tuakau Block, now being surveyed by Mr. Skeet was also adjourned for want of a plan. Tupnpakurau, Weraopoutea. Makarika and Maika Blocks were dismissed, not having been surveyed. Twentypersons were appointed Trustees for 36 infants under the Maori Beal Estate Management Act in Botokautuku Block Six persons were alsoappointed receivers of rents in the Matakaoa Block. The utmost order and good feeling prevailing during the sittings of the Court, order being kept by Native policemen. European Constables were also in attendance, as orderlies. A wish was expressed than another Court should be held early next year, after the food is planted which will give time for campletionof surveys. Judge Bogan, Captain Porter and Mr. Woon left Waipiro on Sunday 23rd May not arriving at Gisborne till the 29th. They had a terrible journey' from the effects of which Captain Porter is still suffering. The roads are almost impassable, and positively dangerous.