More Info →5th Nov 1872

Description

5th November 1872.

Foxton
Present:His Honor Judge Rogan Presiding His Honour Judge Smith Assessor - Hemi Tautau Clerk to the Court M Grey
Native Interpreter Mr G H Davies

The Court opened at 10 am.

The Interpreter then read over the list of claims set down for hearing.

Mr Buckley appeared on behalf of 109 Natives and requested that the Court would permit him to appear and act as Counsel for the Ngati Raukawa.

Hoani Meihana of the Rangitane Tribe: I am a native and my tribe are natives and the tribe we are contesting with are natives. These people who have brought their land before the Court are all natives and these are the reason why I object to either party employing Counsel, Rangitane, Ngati Apa, Muaupoko and Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Toa and Ngati Awa and Whanganui and Ngati Kahungunu. My opinion of the lawyer is that it is the Court and the Assessor who has been appointed. These whose names are gazetted appear for themselves before the Court.

Henare Herekau: With regard for this application for a lawyer the people are Maori but the world is European. It will not do to go backwards. The court is Pakeha and the lawyer is Pakeha. These tribes mentioned by Hoani employed lawyers during the sitting at Rangitikei. But it was there these natives were glad enough to employ lawyers in their claims.

Tamihana Rauparaha: Asked the Court to adjourn for a day or two and that this question about the lawyer to stand over until next sitting day.

Wiremu Tamahana Te Neke: Asked the Court to adjourn in order that they might talk these matters over amongst themselves.

Ihakara Tukumaru: The Ngati Raukawa had notice to meet them and talk this matter over on Monday (yesterday). This objection to the lawyer is new that due notice was given for this meeting.

The Court adjourned and informed the natives that a larger building would be required of which due notice will be given.

Court adjourned until Wednesday the 6th.

Identification

Date

November 5, 1872