More Info →Otaki Maori Land Court Minutebook - 16 September 1881.

Description

Friday 16^th September 1881

Place – the same Present – E. W. Puckey Esquire Judge Hoani Meihana – Assessor

List of names handed in by Perenara Te Tewe and Tiemi Ranapiri read.

No objectors.

Ordered that the names of

Eru Tahitangata, Perenara Te Tewe, Karanama Te Whakaheke, Enoka Te Wano, Mohi Heremia, Haikenia Rakaupehi, Ruihi Piripi, Piripi Te Ra, Hiwi Piahana, Wehipeihana Taharape, Hakaria Rangikura, Tereturu Hamahona, Hopia Enoka, Te Raiti Te Hiwi, Riria Ranapiri, Rititia Ranapiri, Meri Piripi, Rangituia Perenara, Oriwia Te Kohu, Pare Tahitangata, Kapu Petera, Ngarati Te Tewe, Makere Ranapiri, Meropa Tima, Hotene Ngawi, Ngahora Te Waaka, Haana Wi Tana, Aterea Tauehe, Ropata Ranapiri, Tamati Ranapiri, Tiemi Ranapiri and Tamati Tinia

Be entered in the register as the owners and that a certificate of their title be issued in pursuance of the acts.

Fees charged

Hearing - £1.0.0 Certificate - £1.0.0 Swearing Wits. - £0.6.0 Total - £2.6.0

47 Pukekaraka No. 5 401

Claim read – plan produced.

Tame Ranapiri said – I appear on behalf of Te Raiti Tonihi.

This is the same land as is claimed by the 47^th on the list

Dismissed

47 Pukekaraka No. 5 401

Claim read – plan produced

Tame Ranapiri said – I appear for Te Raiti Tonihi.

Mr McLean said – I appear for Mrs Whitehouse.

Tiemi Ranapiri said – I appear to object.

Te Raiti Tonihi – sworn

I live at Otaki. I belong to Ngati Kapu.

I know the land now before the court. I have a claim to it through my ancestor Te Uhi. He was my grandfather. He seized the land when Ngati Raukawa cut it up. He lived on it and my father and I still live there. I put a fence on it.

Perenara has no claim to this piece. I did not send in this claim. I wish to be dismissed.

Perenara Te Tewe

Tiemi Ranapiri sent in that claim. I wish to withdraw the claim.

Mr McLean said – we have waited from day to day since this claim has been before the court and no intimation whatever has been given by the claimants of their intention of withdrawing the claim. I beg the court to if possible proceed with the hearing.

Perenara said - I wish the claim to proceed. I wish to send in a new application.

Mr McLean said – I must ask for costs.

Perenara Te Tewe said – then I will go on with the claim – sworn

I live at Otaki. I am of Ngati Kapu of Ngati Raukawa.

I know the land described on the plan before the court. I have a claim to it through my uncle Mateina Te Hokopaura. I don’t know the nature of his claim. He lived, worked and died there – had houses and fences on it. No one disturbed his occupation. There were others there as well as him.

Objectors

Tiemi Ranapiri said – I object to the N. S. line. Objection of Tiemi Ranapiri subsequently withdrawn.

Perenara said that piece belongs to Riria.

Mr McLean – I object for Mrs Whitehouse.

Tame Ranapiri said I appear for Te Raiti, Anikanara, Hakana – objectors.

Mr McLean said Tame Ranapiri’s objection was expressed first – court coincided

Tame Ranapiri called

Te Raiti Tonihi – sworn

I live at Otaki. I belong to Ngati Kapu.

I know this land. I have a claim to it from my grandfather Te Uhi. He was the original owner. My father owned it. They both worked on it. It was taken by my grandfather when Ngati Raukawa divided the land. My grandfather died at Te Kuititanga. My father lived on this land permanently afterwards. My father died at Ohau where he went under his wife’s mana. My father died in 1872.

I know Matana Te Hokopauru. He has no claim to this piece. He belongs to Ngati Kura. There are people here who can swear to our right on this piece.

Xed by McLean

Anikanara and Tonihi are sisters. Tonihi is my father. In the time of my grandfather, our people all lived together. Te Morere lived on this land then. He was Ngati Turanga perhaps that hapu is of Ngati Raukawa. Kaea was his child. She did not live on this land. I never saw Kaea with Te Morere. I saw her at the Hutt after the death of her husband. I never saw her before her marriage. My father and I went to see her at Wellingtion. I never saw her before that time. I heard she married Ropata Tineti (Robert Gillett).

I don’t know where Morere was buried. I was at school in Wellington. I never saw his grave. I have heard of his grave. I never heard where it is.

My father died at Ohau. I don’t know how long before his death my father lived there. It was a visiting place. This was his home.

Xed by Perenara Te Tewe

I never saw Matana Hokopaura on this land. I don’t know hi house there. I never saw him work there. I never saw you living on this land or working on it.

Re-exed by Tame Ranapiri

Te Morere lived on this land without a claim to it. His land was at Huritini. Te Kuru left him there to look after it. When Morere came from Huritini, he came here by Tonihi’s invitation. This was the first time I saw him on this land. Morere died after I went to Wellington in 1853. I did not see him long. I went to school there.

Xed by court

There are buried our dead. A church is on it – R. C. Church.

My father alone gave permission for the burying of dead there also for the erection of the church.

Ngati Kapu had nothing to do with the church or the burying dead on this land.

Mrs Whitehouse or here mother never lived on this piece. I don’t know whether her mother married very young.

Te Morere was of Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Turanga hapu. They were not a slave but a highly a respectable hapu. Morere was a kai mahi of Te Kuru.

It was only yesterday, I heard that they were relatives. Te Morere had only one child a daughter. I saw her on the road to Wellington. Our business was about Peremoro when my father and I met Te Morere’s child. My father did not say what relation I was to Kaea then. I never saw her children but I did hear that they were born. Arihia Hiraka told me of their birth.

I see Mrs Whitehouse and her brother. I don’t know them. Somebody told him they were Kaea’s children. One of Perenara’s kainga’s is at Ohau. Another one is alongside the land now before the court.

Perenara’s children are buried on this land. It was I gave permission for their burial within the fence where my mother is buried.

I wish the burial ground to be kept for the dead. The other part I want in my name that is I want two orders. The dead were buried there before I went to Wellington in 1853.

Xed by T. Ranapiri

Ani Kanara – sworn

I live at Otaki. I am of Ngati Kapu.

I know the land before the court. I have a claim on it from my father Te Uhi. I live on it. I work on it.

I know Matene Hokopana. He has no claim on this land. He lived on it. He only lived on it for a month and then died.

I knew Te Morere. He had no claim to this land. When this land was cut up, Te Morere was at Huritini. It is quite recently that he came to live here by Tonihi’s invitation. He died outside the boundarie’s (spot pointed out). Morere was a widower when he came here. His daughter, at that time had married a European and gone away to live with him.

Xed McLean

I did not tell you that Te Morere had a claim on this land nor anyone else in your presence.

I don’t know where Te Morere was buried. Tonihi buried him. I don’t know what year he died. Te Morere had a house outside the boundaries. It is now broken down. I can’t say whether Perenara broke it down. There is no fence round Morere’s grave. Morere was of Ngati Turanga and Ngati Te Au. I never saw Kaea on this land. I saw her at Huritini - never here. Morere came from Maungatautari. I came from Maungatautari. I was born there.

Xed by Perenara Te Tewe

I never saw Matene Te Hokopaura on this land. He lived here a month and then he died. I did not see him there when the mill was put up in 1852.

I saw you there. You were then under my “tuakana’s” mana. I never saw your cultivations on this piece.

Re-exed by T. Ranapiri

Mitarina would be a sister to Perenara. Mitarina married Tonihi. That is why Perenara came here to live.

Xed by court

There is a church and a graveyard on this land. Hokopaura lived here a month after he came from Ohau - his wife also. They had a whare here not a hut. It wa a whare raupo. It was not finished when he died.

I have seen Morere - the first time at Maungatautari. We lived at Otaki. Morere came in first migration. I came in the second. Morere was living at Huritini when I arrived with his master Te Kuru. I only heard Morere was at Huritini. I did not see him there. I next saw Morere when Christianity came here. I saw him there at Pukekaraka. His daughter had then gone to the pakeha. His wife was dead. He was alone. Morere died at Pukekaraka. I did not see his death or his burial. I only heard that he was dead. I went on purpose to see him but he was buried before I arrived. I heard that he was buried on the block. I don’t know how many years he lived on this land. I saw him working outside this land.

To the best of my knowledge, this land belonged to my father.

I know Mrs Whitehouse and her brothers. They are grandchildren of Te Morere. In my opinion they have no claim on this piece.

Eru Tahitangata – sworn

I live at Otaki. I am of Ngati Kapu.

I know this piece of land. It belongs to Te Uhi. He took it from Ngati Toa. Tonihi and Anikauara are the children of Te Uhi. Taraiti will be “tamahine” to them. Taraiti was Tonihi’s daughter. Tonihi Ani Kanara and her brother all lived on this land.

I did not know nor see Matena Hokopaura.

I knew Te Morere. His land was outside these boundaries. He had no claim inside. Before the battle of Haowhenua, I saw Morere there. Te Raiti’s father died at Te Kuititanga. Morere died about the time of the laying out of Otaki Township.

Hori Ngawhare and Tonihi laid down the N. E boundary. I remember their dispute. Tonihi and Keremihana quarreled about that line. Keremihana was related to Tonihi. As the boundary was then settled – one side of the line was to go to the mission, the other side to the tribe.

Xed by McLean

I have a good knowledge of all I have spoken of to the court. I saw all the things and persons I have stated. I was not a prisoner to Ngati Kahungunu. It was after Haowhenua and my return from Waikato that I went to Ngati Kahungunu – my relatives here. Morere and I are relatives. I don’t know Te Awanui. I saw Te Morere there. I know Huritini. It is at Waikawa Lake.

Xed by Perenara Te Tewe

I saw a pa on this land. I was living at Waikawa and Otaki when I saw these people living here.

I never saw Matena Hokopaura there then.

Tonihi gave permission to build the church on this piece. I never saw your cultivations on this piece. I saw your cultivations on the other side of the hill within the boundaries of this block. In case of a dispute between Tonihi and Hori, you would have sided with Tonihi.

I heard that all the tribe assembled before this land was set apart for a church and burial ground.

Te Raiti objected because this piece was her own. I believe the church and the fences have been built now for 26 years more or less. I did not hear Te Raiti’s objection personally. I heard of it.

Re-exed by Tame Ranapiri

The name Huritini is applied to the land as well as the lake. Perenara went to cultivate on this land under Tonihi’s mana. The house of Morere was not tapued because of his death there.

By court

This land belonged to my father Te Uhi. It belongs to us under his mana.

I never saw Te Hokopaura.

Morere was an agriculturial. He was not a warrior. I don’t know what tribe he belonged. Had he been of Ngati Raukawa, I should have known him in Ranginui loss of Ngati Turanga. I saw Morere when he arrived here. I was a child when we left Maungatautari.

I know Mrs Whitehouse and her brothers. They would be “tamahine” to me. Tonihi made no objection when Pukekaraka was made into a pa by Ngati Raukawa. His objections are only now known.

I don’t think Te Raiti Tonihi is right to object now to those of Ngati Raukawa who have claims on it. I am quite certain that Perenara has no interest in this block. I never heard that Tonihi had given Perenara a piece of this land for cultivation.

Makarita Te Tihi – sworn

I am of Ngati Tukorehe. I live at Otaki. Now I live at Oroua.

I know the land before the court. It belonged to Te Uhi – Tonihi’s father. He seized it. I was present when this piece was cut up.

I knew Matana. He had no claim on this land.

I did not know Te Morere. I have never heard of him.

Mr McLean

Where Tainui now stands was the old boundary between Tonihi and Hori.

The Mangapouri creek was Uhi’s boundary.

I saw the cutting up of this land. I went to Awahuri after the king movement – 1856.

While I was here, I did not see or hear of Morere.

Tonihi had no brothers, one sister Ani kauara. Uhi had only those two children.

Xed by Perenara Te Tewe

I have seen you living on this land. I am not aware that you worked on it.

Re-exed by T. Ranapiri

Perenara went there under Mitatina’s mana.

By court

Ngarati Te Tewe – sworn

I am of Ngati Kapu. I live at Pukekaraka.

I know the land now before the court. It is Uhi’s. I saw Uhi living there. Tonihi and Anikauara are his children.

I know Matana Hokopaura. He has a claim on this land so have I so has Perenara. We claim from te Uhi. Tonihi gave it to us to cultivate on. We are living on the land not as owners.

I know Te Morere. He has no claim to this land. His land is on the other side of the road.

Xed by McLean

I know Pairoroku. He was a great man. He was related to Te Uhi. A wharepuni stood where the church now stands.

I was too young to see much of Morere. I heard that this land was seized by Uhi. I did not see it. I don’t know the burying place of Te Morere. I have suddenly aged.

Xed Perenara Te Tewe

I don’t know how many years Matana lived on this land. We have lived there for a just many years. No one disputed Maena on this piece. Matena is dead. You took possession of his residence after his death.

Re-exed by T. Ranapiri

Matana had his share just where the church now stands. Our cultivations were just above and on the other side of the hill. We were living there under Tonihi’s mana.

Xed by court

Hokopaura had a piece in this block. I can’t say whether they were to be ours permanently.

I am brother in law of Tonihi also elder and younger brother. I was not married when we lived on this land. Matana’s wife was our housekeeper. Metarina was Tonihi’s wife.

In my opinion te Raiti Tonihi has the best claim to this land. Te Morere’s land was outside these boundaries, so was his house. I don’t know where he was buried. I was a child then. Te Morere died about 1839 I think.

Close of Te Raiti’s case

Mr McLean Lease

Charlotte Whitehouse – sworn

I am wife of John Whitehouse. I live at Porirua. My mother’s name was Kaea. Her husband’s name was Robert Gillett. Te Morere was my mother’s father.

I claim an interest in this land through Morere. I am unable myself to serve my claim. I will call another to support it for me. Ani Hanara to you denied Morere’s right to this land. I was with you, Morere, Piripi, Rawiri when Anikanara made you that statement.

She gave her own whakapapa. I saw you writing down Anikanara’s statement. That is it, in your hand (read) these are other members – 4 in number, who claim with me viz – Hone, Susan William, Robert and myself. Susan is wife of William Whitehouse.

Xed by Tame Ranapiri

I know the land before the court. I claim the land of my ancestor. I cannot point it out but I will produce witnesses to do that for me. I claim through my grandfather living there. I ask the court to put our names in the title. Anikanara told me that we had an interest in this block.

Perenara – I have no questions

Re-exed by Mr McLean

I have no intention of disturbing the church.

Perenara Te Tewe – sworn

I have said I know this land.

I knew Kaea – the mother of Mrs Whitehouse. I knew Morere. He was the first of her ancestors who came here. She was at Haowhenua and Te Kuititanga and engaged. He was not one of the chiefs of those two battles though he was engaged in them. Morere’s whare was at the pa – place pointed out. I saw him there. His cultivations were on this land (pointed out). I saw them. I think he died about 1854 or 5.

When war was over, all the fighting men turned to cultivation. Kaea lived with Morere in his house. Morere lived there after Kaea went away. He died there. It was I who buried him at Ngoungou not on this land but outside. Tonihi and Te Raiti lived together with us all in the pa.

Xed by Tame Ranapiri

Morere had a cultivation alongside the creek as well as the other one I spoke of in the block. Kaea had left with her husband before I came to live on this land. Morere told me that his daughter had only just left. I don’t know how many years he lived after his daughter’s marriage and removed.

Ngarati is my elder brother (the last witness but one). I have more brains than my brother Ngarati. We and the descendants of Te Morere have the same right to this land. Te Raiti is also interested.

I omitted Morere’s name from the application because I never thought they would appear. It was the missionary (R. C) that advised me to send in the claim. My elder brother’s statement related to our cultivations on this land is right. Te Morere lived and cultivated on this land permanently. Te Morere Te Waha and others cut this piece up. I have now heard that Matena was present when this land was cut up. Te Morere went to Huritini quite recently after the cutting up of this place. Morere has no land at Huritini.

Re-exed by McLean

I am willing that Mrs Whitehouse and her brothers should be admitted as owners. I heard Mrs Whitehouse say that she wished the land to go to the R. C. mission.

Xed by the court

I did not hear that Morere was a serf of Te Kuru. When he went to Huritini it was only to get eels. I never saw Mrs Whitehouse on this land.

Rekereke

Ordered that the names of

Maaka Pukehi, Hera Tuhangahanga, Unaiki Wi Parata and Hipirine Te Kotua

Be entered in the register as owners according to native custom. No restrictions.

Fees charged

Hearing £1.0.0 Certificate £1.0.0 Total £2.0.0

Court adjourned until 10 am tomorrow.

Identification