Thursday 20th November 1879
Court opened at 10 am.
Present – the same
Whakawehi – Henare Te Herekau and others
No plan – Dismissed
Pikautahi – Meretini Kuku
No plan – Dismissed
Himatangi – Subdivision – 11,781 acres
Renata Ripiha applied for adjournment until after dinner to allow Dr. Buller to arrive.
Court resumed at 2 pm.
Petihira Te Kuru for Ngati Teau hapu
Petihira Te Kuru – sworn
I will speak of the titles of the three hapu’s. They all mutually claim through Ngati Raukawa conquest. The three hapu’s are Ngati Teau, Ngati Turanga and Ngati Rakau according to Maori custom these hapu’s occupied Himatangi and they occupied this land until the coming of the law. They were in possession at the time of the Treaty of Waitangi.
There were two large blocks of land occupied by these hapu’s. Tuwhakatupua was one and this block. The other and they have always remained in peaceable occupation ever since. When Rangitikei was sold, we did not wish this land sold. We did not wish this land sold. Outsiders sold this block along with Rangitikei Manawatu. Had those persons a right to sell we should not be now contending.
Himatangi was returned to us by Sir D. McLean. We wish these three hapu’s to be placed on an order and the names agreed to.
We have decided on the names of persons in the three hapu’s we wish inserted. They are all present. The boundaries as given on the plan are correct. Two of the hapu’s are subdivided which complicates the matter and which makes 5 hapu’s in all who have a claim to this land.
Renata Ropiha assented to all that had been said and appeared for Ngati Rakau.
Roiri Rangiheuia appeared for Ngati Turanga.
Court adjourned to allow the hapu’s to arrange names and to mark off on sketch portions of land they wished to be put in the order.
