Maori Witnesses On Puketi Forest Claim

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1947, Page 2

Maori Witnesses On Puketi Forest Claim

(Special) KAIKOHE, This Day. FOR the third dav Kaikohe Courthouse was packed to capacity with Maoris of both sexes, young and old, when the hearing of the claim for compensation in regard to the Ruketi State Forest continued yesterday. . Proceedings opened with continued evidence by Tamati Arena Napia, the principal claimant. Led by Mr J. B. Reynolds, of Kaitaia, he spoke of his ancestors’ rights to the forests, ol the rights of other chiefs and personages, of the boundaries, of the deed of sale, etc.

Tamati Waaka Nene. who had been a great friend to the British in the Ngapuhi wars, was a man of high reputation among the pakehas, lie said, but certainly not among the Maori people. He was an officer of the British Army, and had informed on the location of pas at Okaihau, Ohaeawai and Ruapekapeka. More, he had actually pointed out certain chiefs who were wanted by the British. "Tamati Waaka Te Nene was not a chief, but an informer,” declared the witness Arena.

Meredith) showed him the deed of sale. Witness maintained that the deed, on which was the signature oi his own grandfather, Hare Napia (Charles Napier), was for Mokau. not for Manginagina and Takapau. In any case, ho declared, his grandfather’s signature was fraudulently obtained. 1 The commission and three lawyers spent a long time clearing up the confusion arising out of the tlncc blocknames. Mokau was used by the deed of sale for ihe block cf 7224 acres sold, but the Maoris declare that Mokau is a less valuable area to the north of Manginagina. This latter place is itself separated, they say. by the Waipapa River, running east-west into the Hokianga Harbour. from Takapau Block.

Mr Reynolds pointed out the friendship for the British held by Nopern (Noble) Panakaroao. paramount Te Rarawa chieftain, who had been responsible for the coming of the Matthews mission to Kaitaia.

Witness agreed that he was a rangatira whom the Maoris themselves garded as great . > Leading Crown counsel (Mr V. R.

In any event, the Crown in 1902, by appointing a ranger, entered into possession of Manginagina and Takapau, calling them Mokau.