NGAITAHU CLAIM

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 2, 2 July 1926, Page 7

NGAITAHU CLAIM

APPEALS AGAINST EXCLUSION.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHEISTCHUECH, Ist July.

Appeals in tho Ngaitahu claim were heard iy, tho Native Land Court yesterday. It was stated that the appellants had been unablo to have the appeals taken together, ,a6d consequently eleven would bo taken in rotation.

For the Thomas family (Southland), Mr. Ellers (Masterton) said that the grandfather of appellants had resided at Little Eiver, and was an owner in the Ngaitahu purchase of 1848, find occupied his rights. The Chief Judge's decision, on which the appeal was made, had been to the effect that those who occupied, or had been buried, owning land within this purchase were entitled to full shares. Appellants ' mother had not been included. The grandparents were owners in Kaitorckai, which was included in the Peninsula sale, and they had lost, by Fenton's Court of 1868, a portion known as the Ellesmcre Eescrve. Decision was reserved. Teone Topi Patuki and others (Mr. Boylo) lodged a similar appeal in respect to the Ngaitahu decision at Tuahiwi. Mr. Eoyle said that appellant was a son of tiie chief who aigned Kemp's deed, and that his name appeared in the list of owners who were entitled to participate in lands within that purchase. , Decision was reserved. . ■ .. Decision in the appeal of Hariata Whakatau Pitini! and others for the inclusion of Kaikiura Natives was also reserved. ' The gave their reserved decision in the appeal of Tame Tawera and Mere Hirini in respect of a decision given by Judge Gilfedder at Temuka in June,-1925, regarding the appointment of successors to Miriama Hirini (Tawera). Appellants claimed the remainder of tho estate of their mother, .i portion of which had been willed to the children of her halfsister. The Court amended the decision of tho Lower Court so that the shares should be equally divided into thirds, but did not alter the decision as to tho beneficiaries.