THE LITTLE BARRIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6935, 8 February 1884, Page 5

THE LITTLE BARRIER.

UniEF Judge Macdonald and Judge Williams delivered judgment yesterday in the Little Barrier Island (Hauturu) case. After summing up the evidence, their Honors said : "The Court, therefore, ■ is unanimous in awarding this island, Hauturu, to the descendants of Maki and Mataaha, viz., to Te Kawerau, including Rahui, the daughter of Te Kiri. The Court has not arrived at this decision without grave consideration, rendered more anxious by the fact that their views are at variance with the conclusions of the Judges who have previously had this question under consideration." All residents of Auckland know the Little Barrier, or Mount Many Peaks, as Captain Cook called it, which towers aloft at the entrance of the Hauraki Gulf. So rugged ie the surface of the island, the peaks rising harply to the height of 2400 feet above the -ea, that the Maoris could make no use of it. It is 4 miles in length from north to south, and 3£ from east to west, steep, and almost inaccessible. Its . ownership, however, has been sharply contested. It was heard and decided by the Native Lands Court. Great dissatisfaction was expressed at the deoision, and a re-hearing was applied for and granted. An opposite judgment was then given, but this did not seem to still the troubled waters. In the Special Powers and Contracts Act ot last session power was given to the Native Land Conrt to hear the case again. This was the origin of the hearing whioh terminated yesterday. Wo understand that the natives are in treaty to sell this land to the Government, who wish to possess it, as it may be used at some time or other for defence purposes.