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

Wananga, Volume 5, Issue 45, 9 November 1878, Page 567

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 publish this, my notice, to all the world, aod 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 tfrom 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 lands. I have a name ; I have authority over all the lands which I own, aud this portion I now hold is very small—it is Te Hauke onl v—so that this Sortion shall be left as it was in days gone by, according to laori customs and rights. And let no Crown grant, no investigation by the Native Lands Court l>e 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 which I, Te Hapuku, have lived. Friend, the Editor of Te Wananga, 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 months 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 hearu his words that not any European 6hould meddle with or cut drains, so that the water of the Lake Poukawa could escape, aud thereby draiu 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 h UUr (Crown jrnrt) of this land, mid 'IV H'muku is *h<; Native Ala.au of this land, and such right to th.b luud hua

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 auy right to ignore this Maori law, as Renata Tamakihikuraugi has made this law steadfast on Te Hauke, as it is land at Te Hauke, which is held by alaori custom,' and it iacludesall the land all around the margin of the Lake Poukawa. In some future time the boundaries of the 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, 0 Editor of Te Wananga. be quick and put this notice into Te Wananga, 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 1378. Enough, from all the committee -which is now beiug held at Te Hauke. Na Te Harawira te Tatere. Na Rcnata Tamakihikurangi, Na Te Kopiha te Takou, Na Raniera te Iho, Na Herai te Hukui, Na Ropata t*> Hoa, Na Te Waaka Kewharewha, Na Kiingi Tohunga, Na Matene Waewae, Ko Maika te kai fuhi. 88