G.— 6h

Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE LAND AMENDMENT AND NATIVE LAND CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT ACT, 1922. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION ON PETITION No. 225/21 (SESSION II) OF MITA TAUPOPOKI AND OTHERS RELATIVE TO THE TITLE TO TAURI BLOCK.

Presented lo Parliament in pursuance of Section 55 of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1922.

Native Department, Wellington, 25th July, 1923. Re Petition No. 225/1921— Tauri Block. I ENCLOSB herewith the report of the Native Land Court pursuant to section 55 of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1922. In view of the report that the Court does not think the petitioners established a case sufficiently strong to warrant a further investigation of the Tauri Block, I recommend that no legislative action be taken thereon. The Hon. Native Minister, Wellington. R. N. Jones, Chief Judge.

Office of the Waiariki District Maori Land Board, Rotorua, 18th July, 1923. Re Tauri Block and Petition No". 225/1921 (Session II) of Mita Taupopoki and Others. I beg to report that, pursuant to your reference under section 55 of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1922, 1 held an inquiry into the subject-matter of this petition. The proceedings were confined to addresses by Mr. Kepa H. Ehau, who acted as agent for the petitioners, and by Mr. W. A. Carter, solicitor, who acted on behalf of Hira Rangimatini and a section of N'Tama. Each had prepared his case very carefully, as will be evident on your perusal of the addresses. These were reported in shorthand, and copies are forwarded for your information. At an early stage of the proceedings it became apparent that both parties represented had a good deal in common. It was common ground between counsel that Tauri Block was part of a tract of country at one time known as Tatua (or Tatua East). But, after a careful scrutiny of the minutes and of all available plans, I cannot say that it has been conclusively proved that such was the case. The actual boundaries seem to have been in doubt for some time. In its decision of the 22nd January, 1886 (Judges Brookfield and Scannell), the Court says, " The Court will not define any boundaries to Tauri, that being a question to be decided when the subject of the whole block (Tauponuiatia) comes up for decision." The order of that Court for a certificate of title, which is dated. 24th September, 1887, recites the area as 2,000 acres. The area comprised in the block as surveyed is 5,711 acres and 18 perches (exclusive of roads, &c). Mr. Carter, in his address, practically confined his remarks to the Tatua East Block, and urged that the Court should recommend that the title to this block should be reinvestigated. Tatua East has been the subject of protracted litigation and of several unsuccessful petitions to Parliament. A new petition is said to be now before the House.