Gk—2

4. It is further declared that the said several contracts were fully and perfectly understood at the time they were entered into by the contracting parties, and were fair contracts for reasonably sufficient and lawful considerations at the time and under the circumstances in which they were made. 5. It is now ordered and decreed that the said Edward Circuit Latter and Harry Joseph Beswick shall be entitled to an estate of fee-simple in possession, free from all encumbrances, in all that parcel of land containing by admeasurement 528 acres, more or less, situated in the Mata and Hikurangi Survey Districts, and known as the Paekawa No. 2 Block, as the same is delineated in the plan drawn hereon edged red, and it is further ordered and decreed that all other titles to the said parcel of land known as Paekawa No. 2 Block shall be henceforth void, destroyed, and of none effect and it is declared that the certificate of title issued by the District Land Eegistrar of Hawke's Bay, under the provisions of the Land Transfer Act, to the said Native owners, shall be cancelled and deemed as of none effect, and that a certificate of title under the provisions of the said Land Transfer Act be issued in favour of the said applicants, Edward Circuit Latter and Harry Joseph Beswick, therefor Leave is hereby reserved for the said applicants to move for any further or other decree in the premises. Witness the hand of his Honour George Elliott Barton, Esquire, Judge, and the seal of the said Validation Court, this 10th day of September, 1894. G E. Baeton, Judge.

POUTURU BLOCK. In the Validation Covet at Gisboene. In the application of Edward Circuit Latter and Harry Joseph Beswick, both of Christchurch, trustees of the estate of Eobert Heaton Ehodes (deceased), for validation of twenty-seven contracts for sale of freehold interests in the Pouturu Block, situated in the Gisborne Native Land Court District, and within the jurisdiction of the Validation Court sitting at Gisborne. Tuesday the 11th Day of Septembee, 1894. Upon reading the application aforesaid of the said Edward Circuit Latter and Harry Joseph Beswick, filed in this honourable Court, and upon proof of the service thereof upon the objectors named in the said application, and upon hearing the evidence adduced before the Court by all the parties appearing before it, and upon reading the several documents exhibited in evidence, and upon hearing Mr Finn, of counsel for the said applicants, this Court doth declare, order, and decree as follows :— 1. It is declared that the several contracts for sale to Eobert Heaton Ehodes, of Christchurch, Esquire (now deceased), made by the following persons, owners in the said Pouturu Block—Tuta Nihoniho, Peta Tewa, Nepia Hurikara, Hone Poihakena, Harata Tuari, Anaru te Kahaki, Hamiora Ngarimu, Hekiera Tuterangi, Maraki Tautuhi, Winiata Tapaki, Hoana Whakama, Mohi Turei, Eaniera Tuhua, Pita Horuhoru, Miria Whakaiti, Hurata Taheke, Eeupene Tiere, Maraea Tauoha, Eruera Pirita, Tarati Wahakino, Eapata te Kooro, Hari Tokoaka, Henare Tuatai, Peti Matekino, Hetekia Motu, Piriha Tihore, Eenata Eangiipaia, Mere Hineitukua, Eipeka Paia, Peti Poihakena, Erana Eauhaere, Kararauia Turaki, Mokena Eomio, Herewini Huriwaka, Wiremu Pewhairangi, Himiona te Moana, Hare Paraone, Euira Makuawe, Hoterene Karaka, Makari Tamanga, Hoani Kaikapo, Horomona Hapai, Hori Matamua, Apirana Tatua, Wiremu te Urupa, Eeupena te Ana, Mata Ponghahuru, Heni Nohoaka, Tamati te Ota, Himiona Tiwhatiwha, Hekiera Taurare, Hori Peita, Himiona te Owai, Pine Tipuna, Wi Turehu, Eiria Kowhai, Eruera Kupenga, Hare Pikoi, Pekama Pahuru, Perenata Kaiwi, Eiwai te Hana, Hone Korokaingatua, Flori Tuhere, Te Paia Pakawe, Haua Konewa, Heni Herewaka, Herewini Waitatari, Maraea Whakaki, Kereama Kaipara, Erana Okore, Hanara te Whio, Hohepa Kairi, Hiria te Kakahurumai, Makutu Tamati, Pekama Tuha, Auaru Ngamu, Hamana Turi—for the sale of their respective interests in the said Pouturu Block to the said Eobert Heaton Ehodes, are contracts invalid and incapable of being enforced without the assistance of this honourable Court, by reason of their having been respectively made not in accordance with the requirements of the statutes then in force (but now repealed) regulating the sales of the said interests in the said block. 2. It is further declared that the said several contracts are contracts which, irrespective of form, had they been made between Europeans, touching and concerning lands held under Crown grant, would have been valid and binding contracts capable of being enforced in the Supreme Court. 3. It is further declared that the said several contracts were not in any respect contrary to equity and good conscience. 4. It is further declared that the said several contracts were fully and perfectly understood at the time they were entered into by the contracting parties, and were fair contracts for reasonably sufficient and lawful considerations at the time and under the circumstances in which they were made. 5. It is now ordered and decreed that the said Edward Circuit Latter and Harry Joseph Beswick shall be entitled to an estate of fee-simple in possession, free from all encumbrances, in all that parcel of land, containing by admeasurement 1,216 acres, more or less, situated in the Hikurangi Survey District, and known as the Pouturu No. 2 Block, as the same is delineated on the plan drawn hereon, edged red. And it is further ordered and decreed that all other titles to the said parcel of land known as Pouturu No. 2 Block shall be henceforth void, destroyed, and of none effect. And it is declared that the certificate of title issued by the District Land Eegistrar of Hawke's Bay under

20