MAORI LAND OWNERSHIP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19339, 1 June 1937, Page 8

MAORI LAND OWNERSHIP

NELSON BLOCK DISPUTED ELEVEN THOUSAND ACRES (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. An investigation concerning the ownership of land known as Wakapuaka block in the Nelson district awarded to a Maori'as the sole owner in 3SS.fi, was commenced in Wellington before the Native Land Court. The petitioners in the case are the Ngat.ikoata tribe, the Ngatitnma tribe and 1 lie descendants of the branch of the family- interested in the original gift of land. The respondents are the trustees administering the estate of the last title-holders of the land, on whom the property devolved through the late Huria Matenga, who was awarded the block ia LSB.fi. The land in dispute originally contained 17,739 acres, but part of it has since been disposed of, leaving a residue of about 11,3X1 acres. The title was investigated by the Native Land Court in ISS.fi, and a certificate of title under the Native Land Act, IXBO, was issued to lluria Matenga, on whose behalf it 'was claimed through her father, Wi Katene To Fuolio, and grandmother, Kauhoe, both of whom were then dead. The main point at issue was whether the land was bestowed on Kauhoe and her son, Wi Katene, jointly, in which case the other children of Kauhoe would, according to native custom, participate, or was confined to Wi Katene, resulting in lluria Matenga being the proper owner. Evidence is being heard in the case which is likely to last about 10 days. Over 100 Maoris, who are interested in the case attended the hearing, which is the result of the recommendations made in a report of the Native Land Court upon the. subject, and which was presented to Parliament last year.