MAORI WILL CASE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20975, 14 March 1930, Page 15

MAORI WILL CASE.

QUESTION OF JURISDICTION. (Peb United Pbess Association, j WELLINGTON, March 13 The question whether or not the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to construe the will of a deceased Native in so it rGi3.t6s to Native Icind w&s con* eidered by the Full Court this morning Sir Michael Myers (Chief Justice) and' Mr Justices Herdman, Blair, Smith, and Kennedy were on the Bench. The question arose in the case of Taare Waitara, late of Parihaka, whose estate consisted partly of Native land and partly of personality, and in respect of whose will an originating summons for interpretation had been filed in the Supreme Court, there being some doubt whether the case should b e dealt with in the Supreme Court or in the Native Court, Their Honors decided that the question of jurisdiction be first argued, and if it be held that the Supreme Court has jurisdiction, the case will be dealt with on its merits at a later date. Messrs H. F. Johnston and H.V. James are appearing for the trustee of the estate, and Messrs E. P. Bunnv, P. B. Cooke, H. E. Evans, and L. Wilson for various beneficiaries. After argument, judgment was reserved.