NATIVE LAND COURT. Tribal Claims to the Little Barrier. (From the Auckland " Star.") February 8.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 37, 16 February 1884, Page 5

NATIVE LAND COURT. Tribal Claims to the Little Barrier. (From the Auckland " Star.") February 8.

His Honor Judge Macdonald delivered yesterday morning the judgmentof the Court in respect to the rival claims of Te Kawerau and Ngatiwai tribes to Hautari, or the Little Barrier, which have engaged attention for the past two or three days. Te Kawerau were represented by Paora Tuhaere, and grounded their claim upon consequent and subsequent occupation down to the time of the battle of Te Ikaaranganui, when, in consequence of the disturbed state of the island, all its inhabitants left and retreated into the interior. The Ngatiwai, who were represented by Hone Paama (John Palmer), set up an ancestral claim to the island, as well as one of continued occupation through six generations down to the present time. The latter claim was disproved, and the Court were unanimous in awarding the island to the descendants of Te Kawerau, including Rahui, daughter of Te Kiri. Hone Padma stated his intention of applying for a re-hearing. This is the sixth time the matter has been in Court, and the fourth time it has been decided, the last occasion being in 1881, when Judges OBrien and Munro gave judgment for Ngatiwai. Te Kawerau, however, obtained authority under The Special Powers and Contract Act of last session to commence proceedings de novo, with the above result. Ngatiwai will now ask in their turn for a rehearing, and so the matter may go on ad infinitwn.