OWNERSHIP OF LANDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1923, Page 4

OWNERSHIP OF LANDS.

XATIVKB CLAIM LARGE TRACTS. WF.IJMKOTOX, April 7. [mnonunt investigations into the ownership of lands are pending, which should keep the Xative Land Courts busy for months to come. The lirst inquiry, which will be commenced l>v Judge Gilfedder at A\ aipnwa next week, concerns the Aorangi Block of 7doo acrc-.s. This, it is claimed by the natives, was wrongly included by the Grown in two sales made about I.AIO and 18(50. one being the Waipukurau Sale, and the other, the IVrangaliau Sale. Under the two deeds, the boundaries were fixed as two streams, ’out when the land was surveyed. a line was taken between two rivers. This land was subsequently -old by the Crown to the late Air

; Sydney .Johnston, in 1800. and is now I h-hi hv his son. whose homestead -lands light in the centre of the di-> i patch area. The history of the locality |j will have to he traced for possibly - | iiitei-n generations back. Similar investigation is pending in ' ! respect to a vast tract of territory in ! the Loverly Bay District. The history ! of this dispute dates hack to, the linn ! I fan rebellion. As the result of appeals i by local native- for military pvo'teelh-n . i against To Kooti. the Goveriimeni . ; suggested that the loyal natives should 1 ■ make a grant of land in which -mim ~i - | the militia from llaw lie’s Bay cmld : settle. The natives agreed to mu aside !A. 01)11 nei-f-.s. This area was later iu- , creased to 20.000 arms, hut when the . Crown came to survey it. the nativeallege that from .‘IO.OOO to 00.000 acies 1 were taken from them. A- a result. I the natives have petitioned I’a 1 1 ia men t -nice 1870 for the return ol JO, OOO or I 10.000 acres. | The (.'milmissionei's. sonii- time ago. reported that the natives had a just I claim. ' Fast year Parliament authorised the : Native Fanil Court to define the ownerj ship of the land in dispute, in order : that everything might In' in train in ' the event of compensation having lo he - : paid.