NATIVE LAND COURT.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 33, 19 August 1867, Page 3

NATIVE LAND COURT.

Re bra T. H. Smith, Esq., and lhaia Whikamaira and Parakaia Ponepa Native Assessors.

Tiie'Court was occupied tlie whole of Saturday in investigating Wi Waka’s claim. The case being concluded the Judge reserved his decision until Monday. On Monday morning the court gave , judgment'in this case. MARAMAMAU CASE.. The land in this block is claimed by Manihera, who has received rent for it during the the last 17 years; it is also x-laimed byMatiaha, who has received rent from the same tenant. A claim to the block was made by H. S. Wardell Esq., on behalf of the crown.

Te Manihera occupied the whole of the day in a speech of much interest in which he pave a history of the native affairs of the Wairarapa before the colonization of the country. The Ngatikahaungu, the orignal, and present occupants of the valley were first driven from it by the Waikatos ; after they left the Ngatitoa and Ngapuhi came into the district, and then the Ngatiraukau, who attacked the remnants of the tribe that remained. Subsequently the Ngatitoa, headed by Raupahara,“invaded the district, and then the Ngatiaiwa and the Ngatitoa who drove those they had not destroyed up the East Coast. Manihera stated that his ancestors during the whole time remained in the district. The remnants of the Ngatikabaungu settled about Table Cape, and Manihera left the Wairarapa and went there to induce them to return, and ’ drive the strange natives away, but without success. Returning to Napier he asked the assistance of the chiefs Te Moaninui, Tareha and Hapuku who raised a force of 200 men. With this force they attacked the Ngatiawa, and drove them before them, taking Wharepouri’s daughter prisoner. Ihaka took her to wife, and he and Manihera went to Mukutaurua to see the new god who was supposed to make them invulnerable. Wharepouri’s daughter went to Port Nicholson, but Wharepouri sent her back when he heard she had a husband in the Wairarapa, and afterwards came and made peace with the Ngatikahungu who returned from the East Coast and had remained ever since in the Wairarapa. Manihera based his claim to the land on its possession by his ancestors, and bn the ground that he had never abandoned it to the conquerors. The whole of Tuesday and Wednesday was occupied in hearing the evidence on the side of the native claimants.

On the opening of the Court on Thursday, Mr Wardell proceeded to state the case on behalf of the Crown, which he said rested on deeds of sale executed in its favor, hut which deeds only -coveted two portions of the block in dispute. He contended that the title of the Crown was unshaken by the evidence which had been brought forward on the other side.

After Manihera and Matiaha had made speeches in reply, the court adjourned ■until Fx-iday. Yesterday, judgment was delivered in this case, Manihera Rangitakaiwaho, Tiaki Te Whatahoro, Eruera Rangitakaiwaho, Hohepa Tiwaewae, Henri Paiura, Hoani Rangitakaiwaho and Komene Rawia to receive Grant for east side of Apori range, extending from Crown

Land boundary on the south to Raeowhakaari crown land boundary, on northern side of the said range to extend eastern boundary (the Wharehanga) of said native block.

Matiaha Mold, Wi Ivingi, Te Waka Tahuahi, Makere Waitoa, Natire Piripi, Ruka Tuarea, Hiko Piata, Ihaka Te Ao, Te Waitere Hori, to receive grant for the laud comprised in western portion of Apori range in the said block of native land—restriction of sale.

The land in dispute with the Crown, comprising 3000 acres at each end of the block has been decided in favor of the Crown. Boundaries to be surveyed between Grown Land and between native owners.