MAORI ADOPTIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 9, 10 July 1909, Page 9

MAORI ADOPTIONS.

TROUBLE IN LAND CASES. Disputes about the bona-fides of adoptions are not an uncommon cause of trouble in the t-ettlement of Maori land cases. This clabs of wrangling is largely a legacy from the old regulations governing the adoption of children by Maoris, in accordance with native custom. Under those old rules, adoption was a simple process. The persons who were taking charge of a child were required to do little more than send in a notice of their intention. This was gazetted, and the registration followed with littlo formality. These regulations were revoked in March. IGOS, and were replaced by more stringent rules, necessitating ample publicity and full enquiry in an open court before a certificate of adoption can be granted. When an application goes successfully through the severe testing, and a certificate is issued, the bona-fides of the adoption cannot be questioned. Though the new rules have been in vogue for over four yeriaf-, many natives still seem to be unaware that a change has come. They registered under the old regulations, and thought that they had settled the adoption for all time. However, those adoptions may be questioned ; the adopting parents have no safeguard, unless they can establish their claim at , court in the ordinary way.