NATIVE LAND COURT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 216, 11 September 1908, Page 5

NATIVE LAND COURT.

When the Court opened yesterday morning, Mr Tahua■Watson referred to the 'application: of Mihi Eawhiti, and asked leave to •re-open the case. The Judge "stated that he did not consider the claim of Mihi Rawhiti to succeed as an adopted child to be established. If must bo shown that the adoption was according to the very ancient Maori custom. It was nob enough to show that the adoption was In accordance with the custom existing during the last 25, 50, or even 100 years. Ihe Judge gave an explicit explanation ot the custom of adoption as it existed in the an-eiei'-D times amongst cho Maori people. On many occasions children wore adopted before they were born. The Court refused leave to re-open tbe case. . ~, Mr Baillio, on behali or Mr Joseph Toms applied for confirmation of a ■conveyance of o5 acres, portion of \ellaton Run, from Thomas Heberlay to him, and called as witnesses Mr Joseph Toms (the applicant), Messrs John F. Heborley, jun., Arthur Jackson and Wm. Woodgate, wh-> testified as to the value of the land, which they stated was of very poor quality, and not worth more than ten shillings per acre. The Judge announced that the Court would give judgment- on the 28th mst., after obtaining tlto evidence of Thomas Hoberley", the vendor, in Nelson. Judgment in the cases oi Kumutoto Blocks"Nos. 3 and 4 will be delivered on fche same date, and an application will be made on the same date for probate of the will of Horo Hawea. The application to determine the successors to Heni Hineahi was dealt with in the afternoon. Mr Budge called Hem Ngahina, who gave evidence regarding the whakapapa, which differed considerably from that of the previous witnesses. She stated the Heni Hineahi, the deceased; had her kainga at WaikaAva, and inherited it through her father. Mr.Thomas Watson stated that he appeared on behalf of some persons who claimed as next-df-kin of deceased. Messrs McDonald and Budge objected to an application being put in. Mr Baillie and Mr TahUa Tahuaroa stated that they did noo object, as, the matter having been thrown open, any person had the right to object and to come in and put in a claim. Mr Thomas Watson called Rakera te Rangi, who put in a " whakapapa" differing considerably from that put in by previous witnesses. Mr Baillie and Mr Tahua Tahuaroa called Maikara Par^te Teira, who claimed as an adopted child of deceased, and gave evidence ■en. support of h^r claim. The Court adjourned at 4.30 p.m. until ten o'clock this morning.