THE EFFECT OF "MANA" ON NATIVE TENURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9078, 12 June 1888, Page 5

THE EFFECT OF "MANA" ON NATIVE TENURE.

The following paper on the meaning to be attached to "mana" is being circulated. No word has caused so much discussion in New Zealand from the earliest time down to tho present. It seems to us that the definition given is the correct one. The paper has great interest for ourselves, as showing how land was held amongst the natives :—

We, the persons whose names are hereto attached, are aboriginal natives of New Zealand, who have been instructed in the Maori usages of our ancestors. We have also travelled through various places in the islands of New Zealand, and know that the Maori usages observed by other tribes in no way differs from those of ourdistricts. Now, this example is written by us for the consideration of the Judges of the Native Land Court, in order that they may know what the Maori custom is in relation 'to the " mana " of the chiefs of the Maori. That is to say, there are many degrees of chieftainship, such as the superior chief of a district, and the lesser ones of a hapu having its own chief. (1) The superior chief of the large district is the principal chief by descent, and has great " mana" over the other chiefs and tribes within the boundaries of the district under his control (chieftainship). His " mana" is over"-the. jKople only, and does not affect the lands of those people ; but he has a claim to his own particular portion through his right to the land if his occupation was . derived from his ancestors or his parents. (2) The lesser chiefs of the hapus; there are hapus whoso chief occupies the land belonging to him and his hapu. Such chiefs have a form of " mana"that is, over their own hapu; but that mana does not confer (on him) the right to take the land of such hapu for himself. But that chief has a claim to the portion of land he has a right to through ancestry, conquest, gift, or occupation from the time of his ancestors down to himself, whether large or small. (3) As for "mana" itself, unaccompanied with a right to the land, a chief would not have a right to the land through " mana" alone. These are the " Maori " customs observed in the islands of New Zealand in connection with " mana." Now understanding as we do the customs of the " Maoris," we have correctly set them forth herein, and we ask this exemplification of ours bo superadded to those examples already supplied by the elders in the documents which are used as precedents for the work of the Native Land Court of New Zealand. That this statement also be left as a guiding principle whereby the administration of the Judges of the Native Land Court for the future in dealing with the usages of the - Maori in relation to "mana" may be clear.—(Signed) Tamati Tautuhi, Native Assessor of Ngatiporou, Aku Aku, Gisborne ; Hamuera Mahupuku, Native Assessor of Ngatikahungunu Kehemane, Wairarapa; Hoani Paraone Tunuiarangi, Native Assessor of Ngatikahungunu Hinana, Wairarapa; Hemi Matenga, of Whakapuaka, Nelson ; Wl Pa rata Kakakuka, of Ngatitoa, Waikanae; Raniera Erihana, of Ngatiawa, Waikanae; Hone Omipi, Tiamana Komiti Maori Takiwa o Kawhia, of Ngatimaniapoto, Otorohanga, Waikato; Pepene Eketone, Ateha o te Kooti. Whenua Maori, of Ngatimaniapoto, Karakariki, Waikato; Hamiora MangakaHIA, Ateha Kooti Whenua Maori, Whangapoua, Hauraki; Paratene Ngata, Native Assessor of Ngtiporou, Wai-o-matatini, Waiapu, Gisborne.