More Info →Otaki Maori Land Court Minutebook 2 - 14 March 1874

Description

Saturday 14^th March 1874

Place – the same Present – the same

Succession

Section 10 Foxton

Claim Read – copy of C. Grant produced dated April 20^th 1863. Patihona Poueke and others claim to succeed Keremeneta.

Hariaua Keremeueta – sworn

I knew Keremeneta. He is dead. He has been buried one year and 8 months. He died at Foxton. I was there when he died. I was at the funeral. I am the widow of the deceased Keremeneta. He has one child alive – named Hurupae Hepinia. Keremeneta left a will by which his land was left to his two children. It is I believe attached to the grant and with the Reverend Duncan. Part of the land he had sold the remainder was left to his wife and children – one died. The remaining child is a girl and an adult.

Objectors challenged. None appeared.

Kurupae Hapinia

I know something about the will. I do not know that my mother was in it. I alone should be in the Testamentary Order. My brother is dead. I am the only child of Keremeneta alive.

Testamentary Order in favour of Hepima Kurupae subject to agreement handed in.

Turangarahui 81,ac, Wera awhango

E. T. Woon – Interpreter

I went on to the ground as instructed by the court together with Horomona and other claimants. They took me to 3 clearings on the land – unmistakeable evidence of cultivations there years ago – pointed out several karaka trees. All persons admitted were Aperahama Te Ruru’s ---- the clearing in the bush were the places where he cultivated and lived. Horomona Toremi showed me his boundary which takes in fully 2/3 of the block.

Takitahi who also set up a claim, I followed her to where she claimed and found that her claim was outside the boundary and she told Hare Wirikake that she had not surveyed the whole of his land.

I found the pegs went along the line to N.E corner to where Pineaha claims and formed there a natural water course at that boundary where Pineaha claims. The majority of the natives present said that watercourse was the boundary between Parakaia’s land and Pineaha’s. Pineaha tried to point out a place on this land where he was born but failed to do so to my mind.

Taketahi said – what the interpreter said about the karaka trees is correct. I say that the boundary shown on the plan is that between my land and Aperahama’s.

Pineaha said – the interpreter has stated what took place yesterday. What I said yesterday about 2 chains within the boundary of the land shown on the map.

Horomona said – I wish Wirikake to admit Maka Unaiki and others then my claim will cease.

Hare Wirikake said – I admit the names I have put inonl.

Horomona Toremi – sworn

44 years have I had a right over this land since the treaty of Waitangi. I have cultivated there 3 times perhaps. I have lots of other land.

That is all I have to say. That is my land and Aperahama’s is his.

Hare Wirikake xed by court

Aperahama Te Ruru was my uncle. He is dead. He has left no children.

There are witnesses who can remember the word ofAperahama to --- respecting this land. I did not see Aperahama’s death. I am not clear about Parakaia’s claim. It is outside of this land. Aperahama said he would give me all his land according to native custom

Hururoa said – when Hare Wirikake came from the Bay of Islands to Aperahama and me – he said you have no child to succeed you. I said you are – come and I will show you the boundaries.

We went to Waiwiri and showed him the land there to Poaka, Kipa, Hare.

Aperahama said when I am dead – Turangarahui should be for them and Hare Wirikake will be the head. Winara is another. Aperahama said that a part of the land was to be given to Pukehi – that is all I heard.

Eunaiki Parata said – I wish my name inserted to the grant because Iam a near relative of Aperahama.

The claimant here left the court claim passed over.

Court adjourned until 10 am on Monday.

Identification