THE KEREHOMA ESTATE

Otago Witness, Issue 3342, 3 April 1918, Page 46

THE KEREHOMA ESTATE

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. WELLINGTON, March 26. The commission of inquiry into the transactions in lands of the native Rangi Kerehoma was 'resumed last evening. Native Land Court Judge Gilfedder gave evidence of the application to Europeanise Rangi Kerehoma. Me said no evidence was offered to the court as to Rangi's character and no information as to the intention of Chennells and Beard to purchase the lands, otherwise Rangi would never have been Europeanised. Dr Fitchett, ex-Public Trustee, also gave evidence. He declared it was irregular for Chennells, while agent for the Public Trust, to accept private powers of attorney for this man. for whom the Public Trust had been acting. Witness knew Rangi's character and spendthrift tendencies, and he would have opposed Europeanisation had ho been aware of it. _ Mr Ronaldson, deputy trustee, had received a letter from Chennells, stating that he had power of attorney from Rangi. That letter should have come to witness, but it did not. Ronaldson minuted it to the effect that as the lands were Rangi's own he could deal with them as he chose. At to-day's sitting of the commission, Mr Ronaldson, Deputy Public Trustee, who supervised most of Rangi's affairs during his minority, said that he had no responsibility regarding Rangi after the latter came of age. Witness considered that done what was necessary in tying up -Z2500 for him. He had always been prepared to give Rangi advice. Chennells had- been looked upon, as one of the Public Trust Office's most trustworthy agents. This concluded the evidence, but discussion arose as to the advisablenessof calling Ran«'i Kerehoma. The commissioner said he thought Rangi should have been m attendance all along. He would go to Hastings to obtain Rangi's evidence, if necessary. .