COURT OF APPEAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22830, 14 March 1936, Page 14

COURT OF APPEAL

MAORI SUCCESSION CASE (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON March 13. The Court of Appeal this moraine considered a case removed from the Native Land Court regarding the application of Robert Victor Tipene (otherwise known as Robert Victor Le Seur), of New South Wales, European, labourer, to succeed to the interests of Teo Tipene, deceased, in certain blocks of land. The facts of the case are that on January 20, 1932, the Native Land Court at Wellington, by a succession of orders, made the plaintiff. Tutua Teone (of Waiwhetu, Native, labourer), and other successors in respect of Tea Tipene's interests. On September 30, 1534, the defendant, Robert Tipene, applied to the chief judge of the Native Land Court, under section 38 of the Nativo Land Act, 1031, for rectification of the succession orders, claiming that as he was Tipene's adopted son, and only child, he was solely entitled to the interests. After several hearings the chief judge expressed Irs views that succession orders should be made in favour of Robert V ; <tor Tipene. The position now i« that the plaintiff, Teone, is applying for a writ of prohibition to prevent the chief judge of the Native Land Court from amending the orders of January 20. 1932, which amendment would give succession to Robert Victor Tipene. The hearing is unfinished.