More Info →Otaki Maori Land Court Minutebook - 19 December 1879.

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Friday 19^th December 1879

Court opened at 10 am.

Present – the same

Kurukohatu – Section 45 – continued

Waitohu District

Tatana appeared and said they had been on the ground and the boundaries of the portions belonging to the persons entitled had been pointed out by him and agreed to. We have left to Tamihana to write the names of the persons to go into his portion.

Another claim

Ramari Hiraho – sworn

I have a claim through my father who cleared the land in the year 1839. He and others of Ngati Huia worked there for 5 years. All Ngati Huia know my claim to be a just one.

Hakaria Te Wera – recalled

I consent to Ramari being on the land

Another claim

Pouawha Ngarepo – sworn

I claim through my father Manahi who had cultivated on it.

Admitted by other claimants.

Court adjourned until 2 pm to allow persons interested to arrange as to subdivision of portions if they wished.

Court resumed at 2 pm.

Hapi Rangitewhata – sworn

I will speak of Pirimona.

This land belonged to Pirimona’s fathers. Puhekaru was his name. He cultivated on this land prior to the persons who now claim, long previous to the fight at Waikanae. He worked up to his decease in 1871.

The portion he worked has now been washed away. He had cultivations in common with others adjoining the stockyard. A small part remains. The rest has been washed away.

Objectors challenged as to Pirimona.

Tamihana Te Hoia appeared.

I object because the parts mentioned by Hapi are outside.

Hapi xed by Tamihana

I repeat. Pirimona had cultivations where I have mentioned. Huia had cultivations outside of where Pirimona worked. Puhikaru died on the land adjoining the sheep pen.

Case closed.

This order is hereby cancelled and the subdivision orders will issue instead see page 193 – Judge Native Land Court.

Succession claim

Ohau No. 2 – continued to here from Page 119

Tamati Ranapiri handed in a document on behalf of his wife showing that Kapareire the deceased had transferred his share to Makere Ranapiri and Koroniria Rangiwhakaripa.

Mr Booth stated the daughter Wiripene Kapareire, was aware of her father havingtransferred his interest to the above named persons.

Makiri Ranapiri – sworn

I am wife of Tamati Ranapiri and live at Otaki.

I knew Kapareire. I knew him from being a small girl up to his decease. He was my uncle. I knew the document produced. I saw him sign it. He was perfectly sane but being aware he was dying wrote this document. When Kapareire was dying, I went to Ohau to bring Wiripine to come and see him. She refused to come. She came after his death and up to the time of the sale of Ohau to Mr Booth – government land purchaser – she was present.

She was told of the document Kapareire had left. Deceased drew up this document to show his love for my kindness to him during his illness and his daughters neglect.

I nursed him 14 months. Wherever he wanted to go, I took him and brought him back. The whole of the land belonged originally to Koroniria and he thought it best to return half his share to her. Koroniria took possession of this land when they all came down and he and his offspring are now dwelling there. Te Puke originally gave him the land.

Xed by Ranapiri for Wiripine

Hoani Tawhiri wrote the document and Kapareire signed it. I saw Kapareire sign it with my own eyes. I state distinctly that Kapareire signed the document. We can bring Koroniria down from Ohau if the court wishes.

Case adjourned for Koroniria to be present and for any documents with Kapareire’s signature to compare with his signature with that in the document.

Court adjouned until 10 am on Saturday.

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