NATIVE LANDS COURT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2384, 5 July 1866, Page 5

NATIVE LANDS COURT.

Tuesday, July 3, 1866.

The further investigation of To Aro claims occupied tho Court during the groater portion of the day. The decision of the Court on these was appointed to be given on Wednesday, 4th inst., at 10 o'clock. :

Tho third case on the list was a claim made by Ngatitarua natives for land at Ohario. The evidences adduced as to title proved that these lands were not native lands within the meaning of the Nativo Lands Act, but were reserves made for the benefit of tho natives, or Crown lands awarded to them.

The case was therefore dismissed,

Court adjourned until 10 o'clock on Wednesday,

The decision of tho Court on Te Avo claims was given and certificates of title were ordered to be made to the following natives : — Lots 1 and 2, Henri Parai ; lots 3 and 4, Te Waka and others; lot 5, Hemi Parai ; lot* 6 and 7, Hemi Parai and Te Munii; lot 10, Te Teira; lot 11, Mohi Ngapongaj ; lot 12, Tieko te Wera and others j lot 14, Harawera ; lot 15, Ihikiera ; lots 16 and 17, Tare Tahua j lot 19, Hota te Manurua j lot 20, Henaro Pumipi; lot 21, To Ketiu j lot 22, Nakaroa and Aritaku ; lot 23, Mata Pekaaiu ; lot 24, Marangai te Ngohi ; lot 27, Te Keene j 'lot 28, Henare Pumipi. The decision of the Court on lots 7, 8, 18, 25, and 26 was reserved. . *

On the claimants being informed of the respective awards given, the fees chargeable under the Act were at once paid, as was also the cost of survey. After a short adjournment the Court again assembled to investigate a claim for three sections at the Pakuratalri made by To Teira Whetu. This case, being similar to thut of Oharui (not Native land) was dismissed. Ngatitoa's claim for Te Kihora (in Palliser Bay) concluded the cases to be heard during' the present sitting. This was undisputed, but as no plan was produced a certificate could not be issued during the present sitting. The conduct of all tho natives present, whether claimants, counter- claimants, or spectators, during the five days of investigation, was most orderly and praiseworthy, and wo cannot pass over without noticing the aptitude shown by Wi Tako and Parakaia to their duty as assessors, more especially as the work was entirely new to them. The Court is appointed to sit at Otakionthe 6thinst., and the Judge will be accompanied to that place and Wanganui by Te Keene, o? Auckland, and probably Henri te Miha, of Wairarapa, as assessors.