NATIVE LANDS COURT WAITARA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 4071, 19 June 1882, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS COURT WAITARA.

Thursday, June 15. — Before Judge Fenton and Judfje Munro. The case re Ngatimuniapoto and Ngatitania tribes, which has been before the Native Lands Court, - Wiiitara, for some time, is about to be terminated. The only witness to be examined is the great chief Rewi, who arrived nt Waitara by the s.s. Macgrogor on Friday", to decide certain points of the evidence.olready taken before the Court. Judge Fenton in giving his opinion of the case spoke chiefly of the numerous conquests and slaughter that was carried on in olden times, neforo the British settled in New Zealand, where in two buttles the Ngatimaniapotos drove the Ngatitamas from Potamu (Moknu) ami fought them at New Plymouth, Moturoa, und other places, and the Ngatitamaij going south to Waikanae, Kapiti, Wellington, nnd the Chatham Islands, the Ngntitnmas saying that they were going to procure guns to try and regain their lost battles with the Ngatamaniapotos. With but few exceptions the Ngatitaraas never returned to dispute the ownership of Potamu since 1848, until tho last couple of years. Whatever the feuds may have been between the two tribes before the Colony was settled, the opinion of the Judges was that it had nothing wlwtever to do with tho present time. Tho Ngatiraaniapotos had won the land by conquest, and had held the land since undisputed. The final decision will be given when the chief Itewi gives his evidence, which no doubt will be in favour of the Ngatimnninpotos. The Judges, while giving their opinions in the case, were listened to with great attention by the two tribes, not a word being spoken by either side; but they are anxiously waiting to hear tho evidence of Ilowi. It will then be known who are the rightful owners; not that Rewi's statement will decide the question, which may bo considered as settled now. Judge Munro pointed out the opinion of the Bench to the tribes in the native languago; and also Mr. Tapscll, the Native Assessor. The Court then adjourned till 10 a.m. on the 16th instant.