MAORIS CLAIM LAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1026, 17 July 1930, Page 8

MAORIS CLAIM LAND

WAS KNOWN AS RESERVE JOINT TITLE GIVEN Some trouble was caused in ifea Native Land Court yesterday, vtaa two brothers. Ringi Brown and Janm Brown, sought a joint title to an ana of about 40 acres at Pakiri, Xortk Auckland, which was described in rjrvey plans and known to residents the district as a native reserve.

At the conclusion of the hearing of the case the presiding Judge, Mr. R. F. Ay son, granted the title provisiosally on condition that the Crown made no claim in respect of the land on the ground that it was a reserve. Mr. Elliott, who appeared for the applicants, said that the land came to the applicants through their mother. Kahui Te Kiri, who had bequeathed it to them in her will. It was not known whether any title tiLsted, but the evidence would show that she had an interest in the land. Kabul’s lather had been the chief Te Kiri, after whan; Pakiri had been named. who had owned a largo portion of the land <ra the East Coast down to Takapuna. He had sold a great deal of this to the Government, but the block mentioned in the claim had been excepted. In answer to the judge, counsel stated that there was no evidence that the property had ever been a reserve, although it was known in the district as such. “The ownership has never

been questioned,” remarked counsel. Mr. J. Thomson, of the Native Laais Department, said the block marked on plans as a public reserve although he knew of no reason lor this and of no title in existence. Two settlers in the district, John Edward Salt, who stated that be had resided at Pakiri from 18S1 to 191$, Charles Whitley, who said he had lived there for the past 46 years, gave evidence that the property had aiwmy been owned by applicants or tfeer family, and their occupancj* had newr been questioned.