More Info →Otaki Maori Land Court Minutebook 2 - 20 May 1873

Description

Tuesday May 20^th 1873

Waikanae

Place – the same Present – Hemi Tautari and Hare Wirikake – Assessors

Takapu – continued

Hape Te Rangitewhata said – I have another winess to call named Erini Hutana.

The court decided to call him after hearing the claimants’ case.

Karania Whawha said – I wish to call Roera Hukiki and Nerehana and Natana.

Karania – sworn

I live at Porokaiaia.

I know the land called Takapu. I claim this land. Tauteka Waretini Tuaeruku, Hitaku and Roera claim with me. Our right is derived from Whatanui. The reason why this land has become ours is on account of our mother Tauteka because this is the only forest land about therefore Ihakara desired to --- it. My father sent Ihakara to Manawatu. Te Whatanui secured this land to us a tribe called Hamu. I caused Ihakara to return to Manawatu.

If this land were not mine, Ihakara would have included it in his survey. Ihakara was aware that my father staked off the boundary of this land takapu. Ihakara said that probably I would be prepared to take a piece of land outside this boundary but I have decided to dispute this land and give over the other.

I then surveyed this land. When ---- Mr. Munro investigated the land adjoining for which I hold a crown grant, I told them that I had this land for which I intended to apply.

Roera Hukiki – sworn

What Karania said is correct. This was Whatanui’s land. Tauteka gave this land on account of some Maori difficulty to one of my relatives. The land was in dispute between Whatanui and Taikopurua – the father of Ihakara. Taikapurua went to take the totara trees of Takapu. Tauteka said that the forest of thisplace was equal to a body (a curse) and this resulted in Taikapurua coming to take the trees. The Patukohuru tribe felled the trees for canoes. Te Whatanui heard of this and arranged to send a party to take the trees and drive Taikapurua out. 20 men went armed with guns. I was a young man at this period. A message was sent to Taikapurua to leave and not remain there. Taikapurua set fire to the canoes when he heard this armed party was coming. When we arrived the canoes were on fire and the men had gone.

This land therefore became the property of Hamua. When the boundaries of this land were determined in 1868 was when we went to fix Ihakara’s boundary.

At the time Kararania’s survey was made for her grant by ---- and Te Maki. We said that this piece was to be left out of that survey for Te Hamua – that the land in the grant was for Whatanui’s descendants.

A number of us went to Te Kereru where Ihakara was making a clearing. Ihakara said it was right that they should come to him because the land belonged to their fathers. I am aware that there are landmarks on this land by Tuaemuku. I know that you and your people came and set fire to my canoes. Ihakara said I will take you out and show you the boundaries.

He took two, one of our and one of his party and said, “When you go out into the forests and see the trees that are marked, light fires that we also are in the open may see”.

Then this boundary was laid down. We then came back to Oturoa. I have not seen Ngati Huia cultivating on this land.

Court divided in their views in respect to the decision in this case.

Adjourned.

Court adjourned until 10 am tomorrow.

Identification

Date

1873