NATIVE CUSTOMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 50, 28 February 1931, Page 7

NATIVE CUSTOMS.

DISPUTE OVER LAND. BLOCK AT D AUG AVI LLE. A case involving important questions of native custom and native law and the interpretation of the Native Land Act will come before the Native Appellate Court .on Monday morning. It will affect the Oturei ancl Okauakapa blocks in the Dargaville district, comprising 2406 acres. The land was donated in 1873 to Aperahama Tainui, a Christian leader among the Maoris in the 'seventies. The Native Land Court held that the donors really intended that the land should be held in trust, and the original donors for whom Mr. Quartley acted maintained that the land should go back to them. The Native Appellate Court did not disturb the finding of the Native Land Court. Watikena Tainui (Mr. Blomfiekl) and Ilare Pomare (Mr. Quartley) petitioned Parliament last year, and the Native Appellate Court was empowered to rehear the appeal. Mr. L. W. Parore will ,appear for the respondents. The case will be heard under provision made by section 38 of The Native Lancl Amendment and Native Claims Adjustment Act, by which tlie Native Land Court was empowered to inquire whether the land was given to Aperahama upon trust or not, and to ascertain who were the equitable owners of the Oturei and Okapakapa blocks.