COMPENSATION COURT.—Saturday. [Before T. Beckham, Esq., R.M.]

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3261, 30 December 1867, Page 3

COMPENSATION COURT.— Saturday. [Before T. Beckham, Esq., R.M.]

The Commissioner and Mr. Boardman were in attendance *t 10.30 this morning. Mr. J. W. Preece was present as interpreter for the Court. CLAIM OP HETA TE TAHI. Claimant formerly resided at Kuikiri, but now at Motuhurakia, an island near the Kawau. He was taken prisoner at Kirikiri, with Ihaka and his party, after the Merediths' murder. He left property behind amounting to between £30 and £40. The claimant was cross-examined at great length by Mr. Boardman. He stated that he and others were driven away by the Government. The Bishop was 'the soldier sent to order them away. The people at Kirikiri were taken prisoners on account of the murder of the Merediths. That was a declaration of hostilities on the part of the natives. If the murder had not been committed, the goods would not have been lost. Hunuia was called as a witness, but his statements did not differ from those of the claimant. CLAIM OP HUNOIA TE NAWJE, CLAIM OP PIRIPI WAKARONGOHATT. The former claim amounted to £110 145. ; the latter to between £60 and £70. They were both Kirikiri natives, and taken prisoners on the murder of the Merediths. The Court adjourned uutil Monday.