Totaranui – Ropata Ranapiri and others
Ropata Ranapiri – appeared.
Mr. Swainson put in a sketch survey of claim – a14 – r0 – p 0 – (portion claimed by Ngati Pare).
Ropata – sworn
Lives at Waikawa – half caste.
I claim this land as purchased from Kerekeha Te Paehua and Hoana Te Paehua. These are children of Te Rei Te Paehua, who died. They told me that the land was theirs. I bought it off them and paid for it with cows – bought it in 1864. Te Rei was then living and here at Otaki. I gave 5 cows and 2 horses. I gave them to Kerekeha. I put in a document relating to this transaction (produced) (agreement dated 7 February 1864- signed – Kerekeha Paehua and Hoana Te Paehua, witnessed by Tiemi Ranapiri). This document was written and signed by Kerekeha. He wrote also the name of his sister Hoana who held the pen.
Hoana Paehua – appeared – (a girl about 18 or 19 years old).
Ropata – continued
Kerekeha is at Maungatautari. I heard that the land belonged to the mother – Huriana Hinerapua. She was not living when this land was bought.
Claimant asked for adjournment of hearing to a future sitting in order that Kerehua might be examined as to claim on objectors being challenged.
Kiharoa Te Mahauariki – appeared
Claimed a strip on north side of claim.
Winia Huiputea – claimed portion east of Kiharoa’s claim and south of Paranihia’s claim shown on plan.
Paranihia - claimed portion on north west side of claim as shown on plan.
The court decided to dismiss this claim on the ground that the claimant appears to have purchased from persons whose ownership of the land is disputed.
Claim dismissed. Fee Hearing £1
Te Ahitangutu – Naihi Pekeia
Naihi Pekeia – appeared
Stated that the land had been surveyed by Mr. Swainson.
(Mr. Swainson not present – had asked to be excused from attendance on account of illness).
Ordered to stand over. Continued at pp 29 (see pp 762 in this book).
Court adjourned at 12.30 pm till Monday.
