NATIVE LAND COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 194, 6 August 1908, Page 4

NATIVE LAND COURT.

the Native Land Court sitting at New llymoulh has been engaged for seven days in an enquiry ordered bv the Chief Judge to ascertain whether Hone Puru, the grantee of section 47, Hua, is still alive. Mr. Hughes appeared for Hone I uru, of Egmuiit road, and Mr. Hutchen for Mr. Gustavius Sole.

the evidence disclosed that in 1005 farata Matin applied to succeed Hone I uru, the grantee, alleging that this Hone Puru was the son of his aunt Rawinia te Whata, of the Una. The Court granted his application, awarding the land to him and his sister Pipi Math. In 1!)00 he sold the section to Air. I.i. •Sole. A conveyance was duly executed, and eonlirmed and registered. In 1007 the present claimant, Hone Puru, on searching his title to the section at the Deeds Registry Office, discovered the accession 111 favor of Parata Matin anil Pipi Matiu. He said he had not heard of Parata's application, and was at Pari.haka when it was dealt with by the Court. The present enquiry is tile result of proceedings which he then commenced to establish his claim to the land. -Mr. Hutchen, while denying that the claimant was the grantee,' and contending that his name was Hone Puruwhare, relied ehielly on the evidence of continuous possession oil the part of the father of Parata Matin and of himself auiLU'iiants. in support of this he called several witnesses. Mr. Hughes, while relying to some I extent on evidence of occupation hr Hone Puru relied ehielly 011 the fact that none of the witnesses called gave evidence of the existence at any time of Hone Puru, the nlleged cousin of Parata Matin. On the contrary, all the witnesses on lioth sides (European and .Maori) except one stated that they jiovI or knew of any Hone Puru but the petitioner Hone Puru, of Egmout road. Mr. \ Hughes contended that Hone. Puruwhare [ and Hone Puru were the same man. He pointed out that in the valuation rolls . for 1883, produced by Mr. Hill, the , District Valuer, Hone Puru was rated in ' that name for section 47 and in the same name for sections ill and 131, ~ lino, in the grants for which he had been, called Hone Puruwhare. At the conclusion of the case on Monday, the Judge announced that he would forward the evidence for the opinn' ion and action of the Chief Judge.