NATIVE LAND PROBLEM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 920, 13 March 1930, Page 12

NATIVE LAND PROBLEM

SUPREME COURT ASKED TO INTERPRET WILL JURISDICTION QUESTION Press Association WELLINGTON. Today. Whether or not the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to construe the will of a deceased native in so far as it relates to native lands was considered by the Full Court this morning. The Hon. Sir Michael Myers. Chief Justice, and Justices Herdraan. Blair, Smith and Kennedy were on the Bench. The question arose in the case of Taare Waitara, late of Pari Haka, deceased. whose estate consisted partly of native land and partly of personal property and in respect of whose will an originating summons for interpretation had been filed in the Supreme Court, there being some doubt whether the case should be dealt with in the Supreme Court or in the Native Land Court. The judges decided that the question of jurisdiction should be first argued, and if it should be held that the Supreme Court had jurisdiction the case would bo dealt with on its merits at a later date. Legal argument is proceeding on the point of jurisdiction. Mr. 11. F. Johnston and Air. IT. A'. James are appearing for the trustee of the estate and Mr. E. P. Bunny, Mr. P. B. Cooke. Mr. 11. E. Evans and Mr. 1. Wilson for various beneficiaries.