NGAITAHU CLAIM HUI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17444, 23 January 1925, Page 6

NGAITAHU CLAIM HUI.

NATIVE LAND COURT. The sittings of the Native Land. Court were continued under the presidency of Chief Judge Jones. Mr T. MacDonald explained the position of the committee of which lie was a member. He maintained that his committee was the legal one, as it was duly elected by the people. He de-* sired that his explanation be recorded by the Court. He stated that his commie tee was fully representative of all the people assembled. Mr Pitama contended that the elected committee had not complied with the directions of the hui. He asked his Honor to define the boundaries. His Honor suggested that the whakapapas be submitted, ancl be censored by both committees, and then submitted to the Court. The other contentious points would he dealt with later. The sub-committee appointed by the two committees to inquire into the correctness of whakapapas are Hoaui Main. H. Rupene, W. Karaitiana, T. M’Donald. J. Ellison and J. Wixon. On resumption of the Court afterlunch after considerable discussion as to whakapapas, his Honor ruled that? those people who signed the original deed and left no issue, and also those who were alive and left no descendants, were entitled to participate in the benfits of the claim. Several whakapapas were passed by consent, and others .were objected to. These will he further considered. 1 The largp crowd is extremely well | behaved, and every evening pictures. | socials or dances keep them entertain- ; ed It is not yet possible to deter- ( mine how long the sittings will last.