NATIVE LANDS' COURT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2383, 3 July 1866, Page 6

NATIVE LANDS' COURT.

The first sitting .of this Court hitherto held in this Province, was opened on Friday, 29fch inst., at tho Mechanics' Institute, the use of which building had boon obtained for the purpose. T. H. Smith, Esq., one of the Judges under the Act, presided, assisted by Te Keene of Auckland, and vVi Tako, Nativo Assessors. Mr. Young, of the Native Dopartrucnt, . acted as clerk and Interpreter, M.t. Swainson attended us Survoyor andCommissioner of Native Reserves. The object of the Native Lands' Act 13, as our readers are aware, to open a wny by which the natives can obtain individual or collective legal . titles to their -lands, however small in extent. After due investigation of any claim mado of ownership, which is found by tho Court as good and valid, according to Native custom, usage, or otherwise, a certificate of title, or a Crown grant is issued, subject only to any restrictions that may be imposed by the Governor. But for tho details, we must refer our readers to the Act. There were five cases forbearing in Wellington itself,. the two most important being an individualisation of tho titles ofPipitea andTe Aro Pas 5 both ofmuch value, and having beon ofno benefit to the Natives, not only on account of tho perpetual disputes among themselves as to ownership, but also that by the Native Land Purchase Ordinance now repealed, they were debarred from granting legal leases to Europeans who would gladly have availed themselves of such. The first case for hearing, Pipitea Pa, was adjourned until the next sitting of\the Court, tho necessary surveys not being completed, owing to the absence of many owners and claimants at Taranaki, attending the Compensation Court. The investigation of To . Aro Pa was then commenced and the Court adjourned at 4 o'clock until 10 a.m. on Saturday. . Doubtless at first, .nrnny difficulties will-arise in working. arid introducing .'the Act in such a' manner,, that felie Natives will have confidence in the integrity and justipe of its decisions, but that much, good will ultimately arise from it, tofcli td Europeans aad 'Natives,' wo liaVe little doubt. :

The fact of Wi Tako partaking with us in this administration of justice to his own countrymen is most gratifying, and much good may arise from the example he has thus set to many natives who are sceptical as to his loyalty and good faith. This Court met on Saturday pursuant to adjournment. • CASEB—TE ARO PA. Further investigation as to Hemi Parai's claim took place, being disputed by counter claims brought forward by (or on behalf of) Hori Ngapaka. • The applications of Marangai te Ngohi, Henare Punipi, and Ihikiera were also takon into consideration. Tare Tahua's claims after a partial hearing, was adjourned until tho Court sat on Monday, 2nd. Monday, July 2. Parakaia te Ponepo of Otaki, took liia seat as an Assessor under the Act. # Tare Tahua's claim was further investigated, b"ein°- disputed by Mata Pekaimuand Gouera, evidence on both sides being taken by the Court. A claim made by Heta te Manurua was acknowledged by »U present. Henare Funipi's second claim to another portiofof the pa U 20) »"* that, of *° lot 21 were substantiated } also Ngakora and Aritaku's to lot 22. (' , ■. Partial examination of IhikieiWs claim to lot 25 and 26 closed the days proceedings.