NATIVE LAND COURT, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2290, 15 March 1887, Page 2

NATIVE LAND COURT, CAMBRIDGE.

On Thursday Mr McDonald completed liia case on behalf of the Ngatihaua. On Friday Mr Mackay oponod his case on behalf of fcho portion of tho Ngatihaua who am willing to fulfill their engagement with Messrs Grico and Walker by a short address, in which ho stated ho thought lie should satisfy the court as to the position of the boundary. He called Rihia to Katme, who gave a very different boundary to that which had been previously laid down by the witnesses on the Ngatiapakuura and Mr McDonald's side. After a fewqneslions from Mr McDonald, Mr Dufaur cross examined the witness at great length, but did not shako lii.s testimony. The only point which was not clear in cross-examination was about the ownership of tho land between the Rangiaohia and Puahoe Blocks. Ho stated that it had been given to the Ngatiapakusira by To Waharoa, who had acquired it by conquest from the Maiutuahau tribes. On Saturday, the witness was re-ex-amined by Mr'Mackay, and clearly showed that Rangiaohia was acquired by conquest by the Ngatiapakuara from the Ngatikauwhata in the first instance, and that subsequently the Maiutuahau acquired all tho lands from Rangiaohia to Maungatautari, including Pusihoe. The, Ngatihaua fought the Ngatipakuara at Kaipaka, and took possession of .Rangiaohia. Te Waharoa beiriK threatened with retaliatory hostilities on the part of the Waikato tribes, a chieftiness of which named Te Hangianewa had been killed by the Ngatihaua in the Kaipaka fight, deemed it advisable to to listen to overtures for peace, which were made to him. The peace was made, and the lands of the Ngatiapakuara at Rangiaohia were returned to them. This vyas also supplemented by a gift of Mangakiko as compensation for the killing of the abovenamed chieftainess.

Wiremu te Whitugave corroborative evidence, and also gave a boundary very similar to that mentioned by the previous witness.

Mr Thornton Walker was then called to prove certain distances on tho block. Mr E. B. Walker was then examined as to certain dwellings and cultivation that were on the block when he took possession. He also said he believed he had a small map which had a red line upon it, showing a division between the two tribes. Tho court adjourned at 3.30 p.m. Monday.

On the court resuming Mr Walker stated lie had searched for the map, but could not find it. He believes it to be lost. Secondary evidence of contents was admitted, which was not very satisfactory. Major John Wilson said he had had such a map, and had given it to Mr Walker. He believed it had a line upon it, but it might have been on Pukekura instead of Puahoe, or even on both, as Hareti Tamihana had wished it for a division of the Pukura and the Ngatipakara of Puahoe. He had heard from Hoani Pukura that he had cut a line on the ground. Had never heard that the Ngatihaua either objected or assented to that lino.

A native named Tohi was then called to prove a conversation between Robert Barlow and Hori Wirihana, which he did. The court then adjourned until 10 a.m. this morning, when judgment will be given. The court refused to hear any address from the, counsel or agents, stating that it was not the rule to address the court on sub-division cases. The court requiring the assistance of a surveyor, Mr Gwyunoth was nominated. Now that the main boundary line has been settled, the sub-division among the hapus will be proceeded with.