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

Wananga, Volume 5, Issue 46, 16 November 1878, Page 579

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 rot passed through the Native Lands Court, and this law shall be a law to all future generations. Friend, the Editor of Tk Wanasga, publish this, my notice, to al! 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 riot be touched or meddled with by European or Maori, nor shall anyone dipor make a drain by. .vhich the water shall escape 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 owu, aud tiiis portion I now hold is very small—it is Te Hauke on!)—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 C'oui-t be made or heid for this land, Te Hauke, and on to Poukawa Lake, which is now held according to Maori right, so that ihis, my Maori Law, shall take effect on it, .'<s 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 Wanasga, send my law to Sir Q. Grey, tbat he may approve of this, my Maori law. 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 heard his words that not any European should meddle with or cut drains, so that the water of the 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") 0 £ 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 Tamakibike.raiici has made this law steadfast on Te Hauke, as it is h'ii-1 a!. To Hruike, which is held by Maori custom, and it ii:i"i:.-'i's all (he laud all amund <hc margin of the Lake !*■ :•■■'-]<: :iw:i. In some fui met ime the boundaries of the land :• ■": ; v.:>.d •>• Maori right will he given, tha l ' is. all the Hauke la:t:l< .-iint ;•!! around the lake, over which this Maori law -!!:■!! have I'fT^et. '■■••w.d Editor of Te \V\.\Xaxga. be quick and put this :!"::<•-• iii'n Trc Wasaxga. so that it may be sc-esi hy the ?J.-:nri arid European public. T."> this iK rice be published on each Saturday of the months in 'he year IST?. Eno::<rh. from all the committee which is ::..\\- hoiiiir held at Te Hanke. Na T<- Harnwira te Tatere. Na Renata Tamakihikurangi XV. T • Ropiha te Takou, Na Raniora te Iho. Na ilenii it- ITukni. Na Ropata te Hoa, N'a Te \\"aak-i Kewharcwha, Na Kiia'_ r i Tohr.nga. Xa M:i:c-ne W'acwae. Ko >i:ukato kai tuhi. 88