NATIVE LAND COURT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1087, 5 August 1880, Page 2

NATIVE LAND COURT.

Judgment was given to-day in the Hihiroa Block,- a small piece of land near Waikohu,. adjoining Wharekopae, both Government blocks. The claimant to the former, Turuhia, proved her claim, which was opposed by a small section of the Aitanga-a'Mahaki tribe, called Ngapotiki, of which Panapa ia the head. The latter, who came in as counterclaimants, did not prove their claim. The applicants, however, admitted a few of them. There are some dozen or so enrolled as members who will at once convey to the Government, and no doubt spend the cash pretty freely when they get it. Poututu Block was called on tnis morning, and snouia go through without any trouble, the title set up being the same as in the Hihiroa. There i 3 a general expression of opinion, in which all the natives concur,' thai; it ■ would be advisable at the - present "to ask that the Court be adjourned until *the summer. Owing to the very long timeoccupiedby the said Courtin conducting the cases, taking three weeks to /investigate a claim, which, if brought before any of the previous judges who have presided here, would have been settled in as many days, ah application " will shortly be made to adjourn fdr six months. Meantime a petition will be sent down to the Native Minister, praying that another Judge be sent to • conclude the business.