NATIVE LANDS COURT, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1698, 24 May 1883, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS COURT, CAMBRIDGE.

Yesti'rday.— [Before their Honours Chief Judge Macdjnald and Judge Puckey, and Assessor Lcaf.l

Te Eanga. The Court proceeded to deliver judgment in the cas»e of Te Ranga, as follows' :^— This claim was brought by Rutene te Umaoga, and others, descendants of Hud and Poroaha, with a view to obtaining a certificate of title in their favour, to the exclusion of all others. Mr Ransfield (Hemi Ranapiri) objected, and said that the land to the west of what by common consent was admitted not to belong to this block, was owned by the descendants of Honoiti, as regarded the small j)ieco called Te Opeatikarera, and the rest by Ngatikapu exclusively. Dr Btiller handed into court a document signed by the principal claimants, admitting the ownership of Ngatiwauwan to the small piece at the north-east angle of the block, including Anewairangi. Maihi Te Ngaru appeared as a counter claimant in respect of the same small piece, and it was admitted by the claimants that Ngatimaihi were the principal owners. But neither Dr Bnller nor Maihi called any witnesses.- ' Dr Buller tendered evidence in former cases which occupied some twelve hours in overlooking. The witnesses all deposed that Te Ranga Block was really a portion of I'akuranga. After carefully considering the evidence adduced in this case, as well as in the other cises to which the attention of tne court was requested, we find that the whole of the block, excluding the piece at the north-cast angle, is owned by the same persons as Pakuranga. ' As regards the s'nall parcel at the northeast angle, we award that to the Ngati1 maihi, and such of the Ngatiwauwan ag are descended fromTaiawa andHinekiore, and arc resident in the district. Tho claim on behalf of the descendants of Honoiti, made by Mr Ransfield, ' we dismiss.

Sub-division Cases. Puahujs aub-division case came on for hearing at noon to-day. M v Sheehan appeared for Hori Pohepohe and others for whom Dr ttuller had been retained. Mr Hay appeared for Mere Whakatutn, and Mr Swanson for Hone P.ikura. Mr Hay applied to have Mr E. B. Walker's name struck out^of the application, and cited the Nativ£»i»g In Division Act, ISS2. TF~ Mr Sheehan agreed to its being excised. The Chief Judge said that at proscnt he would not excise it, as although it had no right to be there, it was there. Mr Hay then pointed out that the court was sitting in violation of the 11th rule, which stated that no supplementary list of cases should be issued for any court, and this case was one contained in a supplementary Gazette. "3 The Chief Judge said that the Gazette purpoi ted to notify a fresh court, not a supplementary list. Mr Hay then asked for the Crown Grant. This was not in Court. Mr Hay then pointed out that the Gazette notice was invalid, as it did not contain a notice to protlnce tho Crown grant, under section 7 of the Act. The Chief Judge asked Mr Hay if he was trying to spill these proceedings. Mr Hay, after some hesitation, said " Yes, it is my duty to rai3e this question." The Chief Judge then said the objection was an ugly one, but he would constiue the section as directory, and not mandatory, and anyone dissatisfied might take steps to upset his decision. Mr Sheehan then put in evidence a plan of the block, and the report of the Ngatikawhata Claims Commission. He offered Mr Hay's client an equal share with the other grantees in any part of the block which was not cultivated. He could make his selection. Mr Hay said that the proposal was one which required consideration, and if the coiut would allow him time he would consult hia client. The court ohen adjourned until 2.30. On resuming, Mr Hay informed the court that his client had not come to any decision, and wished an adjournment till Monday. Some, rather lively discussion then took place between the Chief Jivlge, Mr Sheehan, and Mr Hay relative to the adjournment and other matters in cannection with the block. The case was then adjourned till noon on Friday; in the meantime an endeavout was to be made to co'nc to an agreement.