NATIVE LAND COURT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10629, 7 June 1897, Page 3

NATIVE LAND COURT.

JUDGMENT IN THE OHITI CASE.

The judgment on the investigation of the title to the Ohltl block was delivered by Judge Gudgeon in the Native Land Ccmrt, Hastings, on Saturday morning. There was a strong Bar present and a large gathering of natives. The land in question bus many featnres of interest, Flritly, it is one of the fsw blocks in this

district which hao uot been filially disposed of, and, secondly, Is of greab value, It adjoins the Omahn estate, the residence of the late Renaba Kawepn. and the wellknown residence of Mr W. Broughbon. Noa Hnke, also well-known in Huwke'a Bay, has been the chief of this kalnga for many years, and his representatives weie the claimants io the late litigation. The oaßß has been very' keenly contented for the last six weeks, and connsel have recognised tha importance of the matter by their exceptional efforts. Mr C, A. Longhuon appeared for the claimants, the representatives of Noa Huke ; Mr T. W, Lewis for Mrs Donnelly and party j Mr A. L, D. Fraaar for Mr Broughton's party ; Captain Blake, Mr Fox, and Aperahoma te Kama for other claimants.

Briefly, the judgment admits all the claimants, 14 In number, to ownership, although not to equal Interests ; finds Mrs Donnelly and her immediate relations the owners of substantial Interests ; Mr Bronghton, although found entitled, la required to call further evldenoe as to the extent his family 1« entitled to. Captain Blake has aotne of his clients admitted, but Mr Fox and Aperahama have their oases dismissed. The Court Lob yet to deolde the relative Interests of parties and Individuals, and It Is anticipated that thh featnre of the case will be oontested with pertinacity,

The judgment deals very exhaustively with Maori history from the year 1800, both In the Heretaunga and Patea dlstrlots, and gives the opinion of the Court on various matters relating to Maotl customs. In such a matter of very groat Importance to the parties Interested it is almost certain that the case will not be allowed to rest with the lower Court, but will ultimately be referred to the Court of Appeal.