NATIVE LAND AMENDMENT AND NATIVE LAND CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT ACT, 1921-22. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION ON PETITION No. 322/1920, OF TUHERE TAUTUHI, RELATIVE TO THE SUCCESSORS APPOINTED TO THE INTERESTS OF HEKIERA TAURARE IN RANGIKOHUA AND OTHER BLOCKS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1923 Session I-II, G-06e

G.—6e

Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE LAND AMENDMENT AND NATIVE LAND CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT ACT, 1921-22. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION ON PETITION No. 322/1920, OF TUHERE TAUTUHI, RELATIVE TO THE SUCCESSORS APPOINTED TO THE INTERESTS OF HEKIERA TAURARE IN RANGIKOHUA AND OTHER BLOCKS.

Presented to Parliament in pursuance of Section 35 of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1921-22.

Native Department, Wellington, 10th August, 1923. Re Petition No. 322/1920 — Hekiera Taurare (deceased). Enclosed herewith I forward the Court's report, under section 35 of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1921-22, and pursuant to that report I recommend that legislation be passed cancelling the succession orders made by the Native Land Court on the 6th December, 1919, granting succession in respect of the interest of Hekiera Taurare (deceased) in respect of the following blocks—viz., Makarika D, Maungawaru 2, Tutuwhinau le, and Puhunga 2. The Hon. Native Minister, Wellington. R. N. Jones, Chief Judge.

The Native Land Amendment ami Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1921-22. In the Native Land Court, New Zealand, Tairawhiti District.- -In the matter of the petition, No. 322/1920, of Tuhere Ji'autuhi, praying for an inquiry to succession to Hekiera Taurare in Rangikohua and other blocks, referred to the Court under the provisions of section 35 of the above-mentioned Act. At a sitting of the Court held at Manutahi on the 4th day of May, 1923, the Court made inquiry into the above matter, and reports as follows : —■ 1. Petitioner was present and gave evidence, as did Keepa Wharekura and Hare Maruata on his behalf. Henare Kirikino, the appointed successor to Hekiera Taurare, was not present or represented. 2. The relationship between the parties is shown thus : — Kohuwaitai L lloani Kaikapo =» Apikara Kurawai = Heremaia Taurare Hepora Taurare I I I Henare Kirikino Hekiera Taurare Tautuhi Maraki c? I Tuhere Tautuhi and ethers. 3. The report of the Registrar (12th October, 1921) attached to Native Department file, details the orders made arid evidence given at the hearing of the applications for succession. 4. The petitioner claims that the right of deceased in certain of the blocks came down through Kohuwaitai was-supported by Hare Maruata. 5. The Court when sitting at Tokomaru Bay on the 6th December, 1919, was not made aware of the relationship of the parties now claiming, or of the rights under which deceased derived his interests, and it had apparently overlooked the arrangement mentioned at the Manutahi Court on the 3rd May, 1919, whereby Puhunga was to go to certain of the Tautuhi family (the petitioners). In view of these circumstances it is recommended that all orders appointing successors to Hekiera Taurare (deceased) be cancelled, and the applications for succession be heard de novo ; and, should petitioner's rights in Taoroa 2d 9 be upheld to the exclusion of Henare Kirikino, that the Court be authorized to entertain the claim that the petitioner be awarded deceased's share in Tutuwhinau 1c and Totaranui 3b as compensation for the loss sustained in Taoroa 2d 9, since sold. H. Carr, Commissioner.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (470 copies), £1 15s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 923.

Price 3d.]