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

Wananga, Volume 5, Issue 50, 14 December 1878, Page 631

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

The f Ollowing is a law made b y me, b y T e 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 Wasanga, publish this, my notice to all the world and iet 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 digor make a drain by .vhich the water shall escape Ifrom the lake), and thereby cause the lake to dry up It 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 poicion I now hold is very small—it is To Hauke onlv—so thav, this portion shall bo left as it was io days gone bv, according to Maori customs and rights. And let no Crown grant no investigation bv the Native Lands Court bo made or held for this land, Te Hauke, and on to Pouka\a Lake, which is now held according to Maori right, so that ih.s. my Maori Law shall take effect on it, as such law was the law of my ancestors for ages past and eveu down to the days in which I, Te Hapuku nave lived. r ' Friend, the Editor of Te Wanaxga, send my law to Sir G Grey, tbat he may approve of this, my Maori law. But I have power over my own lands. L-.t ilns notice be published each Saturday of the months of all the year 187 S. 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) 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 oi' 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, O Editor of TE Wananga, be quick and put this notice into Te Waxanga, 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 Tat-ere. Na Renata Tamakihikuran^i Na Te Ropiha te Takou, Na Raniera te Iho, ° Na Hemi te Hukui, Na Ropata te> Hoa, Na Te Waaka Eewbarewha, Na Kiingi Tohunga, JTb tfstcaff Waevrae, Eo Maika te kai tabi. 88