Notice by me, by Te Hapuku, respecting the Lake Poukawa, that it shall not be Drained after my Death.

Wananga, Volume 5, Issue 31, 3 August 1878, Page 391

Notice by me, by Te Hapuku, respecting the Lake Poukawa, that it shall not be Drained after my Death.

The following is a law made by me, by Te Hapuku, which shall be an unalterable law for my lands at Te Hauke which have not passed through the Native Lands Court, and this law shall be a law to all future generations. Friend, the Editor of Te Waxaxg-a, publish this, my notice, to all the world, and let it go over all the world so that all the tribes who live on these islands may see it, that is. all the Maori and European people. Let it appear in the Maori, and English languages. Now, this is my word : That the Poukawa Lake shall not be touched or meddled with by European or Maori, nor shall anyone dig or make a drain, by which the water shall escape (.from the lake), and thereby cause the lake to dry up. I will not be right or just if any person whatever assume any right or authority over my lauds. I have a name ; I have authority over all the lands which I own, and this portion I now hold is very small—it is Te Hauke only—so that this portion shall be left as it was in days gone by, according to Maori customs and rights. And let no Crown grant, no investigation by the Native Lands Court be made or held for this land, Te Hauke, and on to Poukawa Lake, which is now held according to Maori right, so that this, my Maori Law, shall take effect on it, as such law was the law of my ancestors for ages past and even down to the days in \shich I, Te Hapuku, have lived. Friend, the Editor of Te Wastaxga, send my law to Sir G. Grey, tbat he may approve of this, my Maori lavr. But I have power over my own lands. Let this notice be published each Saturday of the mouths of all the year 1878. This is the word of the meeting of old chiefs in support of the words of Te Hapuku, and it is true that we heard his words that not any European should meddle with or cut drains, so that the water of tne Lake Poukawa could escape, and thereby drain that lake. And the reasons for his words are these : This land has not been passed through the Native Lands Court, there has not been a Crown grant issued for it, and it is held by Native title, as he, Te Hapuku, is the sole holder (Crown grant) of this land, and Te Hapuku is the Native Mana of this land, and such right to this land has been that by which this land has been held from the grandfathers who held it in ages past, and even down to us the offspring of those ancient owners. Let not any person assume any right to ignore this Maori law, as Renata Tamakihikurangi has made this law steadfast on Te Hauke, as it is land at Te Hauke, which is held by Maori custom, and it includes all the land all around the margin of the Lake Poukawa. In some future time the boundaries of tho land held under Maori right will be given, that is, all the Hauke lands and all around the lake, over which this Maori law shall have effect. Now, O Editor of Te "WASTAIfGA, be quick and put this notice into Te Wastaxga, so that it may be seen by the Maori and European public. Let this notice be published on each Saturday of the months in the year 1878. Enough, from all the committee which is now being, held at Te Hauke. Na Te Harawira te Tatere. . Na Te Ropiha te Takou, Na Hemi te Hukui, Na Te Waaka Rewharewha, Na Matene Waewae, Na Renata Tamakihikurangi, Na Raniera te Iho, Na Ropata te Hoa, Na Kiingi Tchunga, Ko Maika te kai tuhi, 88