NATIVE LAND

Shannon News, 6 August 1929, Page 2

NATIVE LAND

tu with the recent dect si on' of Judge 'Gilfedcler ?n the Native Laud Court relating to the ownership of • certain land at Karitane, at the mouth of the Waikouaiti river, it is interesting to recall how the ancestors of the Maoris came to settle at Karitane. In the carlv days, long before the arrival of the pakcha, the Ngaitahu tribe was proceeding down the coast in their canoes and when off the Waikouaiti Bay the chief suddenly died. The canoes thereupon put into Karitane and the chief was buried in the land that is in dispute. The remainder of the tribe, in accordance with Maori custom, remained at the spot to guard the grave. For many years this ground remained undisturbed, but durinjr the past \ear or two the Karitane Amenities Society was brought into being, and this body, composed mostly of the summer ho' id a y makers, decided to convert the land into a picnic spot or children's playground. A breastwork of stout timbers was erected to keep the water back and the ground behind the breastwork was filled in. Carnivals have been held to raise funds, and local and visiting residents have been asked to contribute towards the cost of the work, but the Maori residents. have not looked favourably on the alterations, as they consider the ground belongs to them, and Judge Gilfedderhas upheld this contention.