NGAITAHU LAND CLAIM

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12041, 20 January 1925, Page 4

NGAITAHU LAND CLAIM

L4&GBOCI NEAR KAIAPOI IN: , f . PROGRESS. ’ .I" — 1 ■ / , The- 'prospective . distribution of £35lyQ|OQ anytoK the descendants of the NgkitShh tribe as compensation for lan4 panned over to;the Crown in 1848 has "attracted a large gathering ot Maoristo Tuahiwi, & Maori village abojit .21 miles from Kaiapoi (says a Qhristdhurchf correspondent).' About 300; Maoris '{ran all'parts -of both :9» in temporary: residence thetej and* canvas town has sprung up nothin stbe last day or two. The hut. which is . expected to last tbreo v weo^ l .h3B_beeißjaited.Jtn.enable t the Native Land Court to hear the . compensation Which involves as-area of'l2k million: acres of Imp' in .(he ) Booth Island.' sold fbr £2OOO. The claim has been before Parliament almost for 'generations, and »t reachejd a conditlon-bf finality, after it’had becomc"ah' qlmokt hopeless, problem, when.; in 1921 a Royal commission' made'm clear; lecoromendqtfon foj a. settlement on the basis of monetary compensation, .whieh was- fined at X354,00Gf. This did not complete the matter, hecause"T;be Native Land Court has yet. to discover the individuals who should The sitting of the Court at Tuafiiwi war be " purpose qf taking evidence from descendants qf the Ngaitahu *e to-lights'.of, owneK ship, existing -at the time' of 'the Kjmip purchasto' in -1848, aufl iighta due fo" conquest or.occupe.tioa. The h«i‘ was officially opened On Wednesday afternoon, when a committee of nine members was 1 appointed witli Hejfti, Hipi fof Poketeraki, Dunedin) as bhhirmen. The sitting <sf the Land Court" will begin on Monday, when it is estimated 6Q9 9* 700 Maoris will be present.