BLOCK OF NATIVE LAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23205, 1 June 1937, Page 14

BLOCK OF NATIVE LAND

FIFTY-YEAR-OLD GIFT INVESTIGATION OF OWNERSHIP cPer United Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 31. An investigation concerning the ownership of land known as the Wakapuaka block in the Nelson district, which was awarded to a Maori as the sole owner in 1883, was commenced to-day before the Native Land Court. The petitioners in the case are the Ngatikoata tribe, the Ngatitama tribe and descendants of the branch of the family interested in the original gift of the land. The respondents are the trustees administering the estate of the last titleholders of the land, on whom the property devolved through Huria Matenga, who was awarded the block in 1883. The land in dispute originally contained 17,739 acres, but part has since been disposed of, leaving a residue of about 11,381 acres. The title was investigated by the Native Land Court in 1883 and a certificate of title under the Native Land Act, 1880, was issued to Huria Matenga, on whose behalf it was claimed through her father, Wi Katene Te Puoho, and her grandmother, Kauhoe, both of whom were then dead. The main point at issue is whether the land was bestowed on Kauhoe and her son, Wi Katene, jointly, in which case the other children of Kauhoe would, according to the Native custom, participate; or was confined to Wi Katene, resulting in Huria Matenga being the proper owner. Evidence is being heard in the case, which is likely to last for about 10 days. Over 100 Maoris interested in the proceedings attended the hearing, which is the result of the recommendations made in a report of the Native Land Court upon the subject and presented to Parliament last year.