TITLE STANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23995, 19 June 1941, Page 8

TITLE STANDS

AMKI OF EAROTONGA COURT DISMISSES APPEALS CLAIM HELD RIDICULOUS The appeals of Putua Rangatira, also known as W. P. Browne, and his wife, Tuvnine Rangatira, of Rarotonga, against the award of the title of Makea Nui Ariki, or paramount chief, to Mrs. Takau Rio Love, have been dismissed by Mr. Justice Ostler. The appeals were against a decision made in Mrs. Love's favour in February, 1940, by Judge Ayson, of the High Court of the Cook Islands. Browne conducted his own appeal. Mr. T. P. McCarthy, of Wellington, opposed on Mrs. Love's behalf. His Honor said that the disputed title carried with it the right to hold certain of the tribal lands, and to understand the points in issue it was necessary to go far back in the history and traditions of the tribe. Mo quoted a table which showed that Mrs. Love is the eldest child of the last ariki, and has descended through three generations from the eldest child, fuvaine, one of the rival claimants, was so hopelessly out of the running that one was forced to the conclusion that if she had not been married to W. Browne nothing would ever have been heard of any claim from her. It was not difficult, His Honor added, to recognise the moving spirit behind the naive suggestion in one of the letters that W. Browne should bo appointed to hold the title jointly with his wife. His Honor said he had no doubt that a letter to the Resident Commissioner of Rarotonga, containing a threat of trouble, had been procured and drawn by Browne, and he regarded it as an improper letter to send to any Court. . With regard to Browne's own claim, His Honor said he had no hesitation in stigmatising a claim made so late, and upon the facts on which it was based, as ridiculous. As soon as the claim was made Judge Ayson had perceived its

absurdity. , His Honor dismissed both appeals. with £3O costs.