NATIVE LANDS COURT.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 14, 6 June 1885, Page 3

NATIVE LANDS COURT.

(from a correspondent.)

Waiomatitini.

The Waipiro Block, containing some 32,000 acres, is still before the Court, and as far as can be gleaned at present, it would be difficult to say which of the contending claimants will be successful in establishing their title, or whether, in the event of an adverse decision to one or other of the parties, a re-hearing will be applied for. The block comprises some of the finest land in Cook County, easily brought under grass, with timber barely sufficient for fencing and firewood, and when once down in grass the block would be capable of carrying a very large number of sheep and cattle. A fine large wooden house for Mr. N. J. Williams’ manager, Mr. Wallace, a large and commodious store, and a number of wooden houses for the workmen, have already been erected on the land. Up to a week or two ago about 60 hands were employed on the Puketiti Estate, which adjoins the Waipiro, fencing and putting down grass seed. The Ngamoe Block, 8000, near Tuparoa, is down for hearing after the Waipiro, which will take upwards of another month ; then some subdivision cases for several interior blocks will be taken.

There are several large blocks up the Waiapu and Tapu Wairoa Rivers awaiting adjudication, and amongst them Tapu Warioa No. 1 (which adjoins Matahia), about 12,000 acres, and Tapu Wairoa No. 2, about 15,000 acres —a large proportion of which is splendid sheep country. There are

also several large blocks on the north side of the river containing, in the aggregate, from 21,000 to 25,000 acres. In the IV aiapti district there are the Manatahi and four or five blocks inland from the Pukemiri, and northeast of these the Mareahara, Kumete, and two or three small blocks, the titles to which are to be investigated. The Kupekehamia and Te Puia, or Hot .Lake blocks, are also set down for hearing, and it is anticipated that the latter will occupv the Court for several weeks. It is understood that the Government intend bringing these under the Thermal Springs Act, as they are being already largely resorted to by invalids troubled with rheumatism and other complaints, and who are said to derive immense benefit from the hot sulphurous baths. Altogether there is an immense lot of work before the court, and all have made up their minds for a long sojorn here.