CAMBRIDGE.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3552, 15 May 1880, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE.

Thursday. CAMBBIDGE LAND COURT.

The presence of Mr F. D. Fenton; Chief Judge of the Native Lands Court, together with Judge Symonds and George Reeves (Native Assessor), is an indication of the great importance of this Court. The Eev. Mr Lawrey is clerk, and Mr Davis interpreter. The services of eminent pakeha lawyers were being called into requisition by the natives. The hew Cambridge legal, firm have made their debut in the Mangapouri case, and appeared on behalf of natives who clajm to have lived on, the land from time immemorial. Mr James Russell (of Auckland) and Mr Grace appeared for the Ngatiraukawas and others. The Mangapouri is the only case investigated since the Courtopened. It was adjourned on Tuesday to allow of the natives arranging themselves into parties and to give them an opportunity of bringing their claims forward in a business-like manner. With the invaluable assistance of solicitors everything will doubtless move along smoothly and satisfactorily. Although there are not so many natives here as at the last Court, this is considered », most important sitting, and to involve questions of great consequence, and as regards attendance, if quantity is not here there is quality. Te Ngakau is a regular and patient attendant in Court, but he is a silent spectator or listener, and though on several occasions Maoris have desired him to intervene, the great orator resolutely" holds his tongue. Tupotahi (of Ngati maniapoto) is here, as also is Bangituatia and Paetai, of the same tribe. Tukukino, of Upper Thames notoriety, is expected to-morrow. A large number of natives are 'expected next week, from distant parts, the old system of postponing the Court having deferred them from coming at this early date. This Court has immense tracts of land to adjudicate on, and also special questions of tribal boundaries between Waikatos and Ngatiraukawa and others. This may in some measure explain the attendance of representative men who have not formerly honoured the Court with their presence. They possibly think that an unrepresented tribe may get its land diminished