More Info →11th and 12th Nov 1872

Object type:Multi-Page Document

Description: Monday Nov. 11th 1872

Present:
His Honour Judge Rogan Presiding
His Honour Judge Smith
Assessor Hemi Tautau
Clerk to the Court M Grey
Native Interpreter

Court opened at 10 a.m.

This day having been set apart as a Public Holiday in commemoration of the Prince of Wales Birthday the Court adjourned to the following day at 10 o’clock.

Tuesday Nov. 12th 1872

Present:
His Honour Judge Rogan Presiding
His Honour Judge Smith
Assessor: Hemi Tautau
Clerk to the Court: M Grey
Native Interpreter: T Young

Court opened at 10 a.m.

James Thomson Licensed Surveyor: Sworn. I produce a plan showing the native claims between Manawatu River and the Wainui Block. These surveys were made under the supervision of the Provincial Govt. Messrs Dennan and Alandorf are the other surveyors.

The Court asked Major Kemp whether he intended to oppose the claim called Hokowhitu adjourned from Masterton if he would give an answer. The Court [would] if there was no objection hear the claim.
Major was asked if he objected to all the claims in the notice, he stated to the court that he did object.

Major Kemp: Said I addressed the Court on Friday and stated that if all was right I would inform the Court or on the contrary. I now wish to make a statement. – The word of the tribes Ngati Apa, Rangitane, Muaupoko, Ngati Hau Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay these tribes apply for an adjournment to a future period. We have all decided to ask for this. We wish to have time to consider our course whether a good one or a bad one. When we have agreed we will bring the matter before the Court again. My people consider that there are more persons interested in this land. The Court is [outsider?] is not one of the three persons alluded. I am one of the persons Ngati Raukawa is another and Money is the other. That is the money that has been advanced by the Govt. on some of these lands. We therefore consider that it is right to ask for time to consider this matter. There is also a dispute amongst our own party which is not settled. I therefore apply for an adjournment. I wish to state that I do not wish to interrupt the Court.

Hoani Meihana: Of the Rangitane tribe stated he would come forward and prosecute his claim. He said he was not involved in Major kemp’s statement.

Huru: Of the Rangitane tribe stated that he was not included in party who asked for an adjournment but would go on with the claims when called on.

Awetare I do not wish for an adjournment. I wish to confer with the Raukawa. There are no other Rangitane with us here. Keepa has all his tribe with him.

Hari Wirikaki: I wish to say a few words about the Ngati Raukawa with reference to Major Kemp. The Raukawa think there is no time beyond the present to which the Court to adjourn. Major Kemp asked that the Court to adjourn in order to consider for good or for evil. All the evil has already been done by Kemp during the years past. Raukawa did not take the same course as Kemp did when he built a Pah and burnt the Maori houses at the Horowhenua. This is the reason the claim to this land was brought to the Court by Ngati Raukawa. The question has now been brought before the Court to settle who are the owners. They having lived on the land a great deal has been given to Kemp already affecting the question of this land. This land was to have been investigated on 5th Nov., [advertised] on the (undecipherable) we want our claims to be heard and request the Court listen to their claims. The Ngati Raukawa witnesses are all ready. There are a great many.

Kemp: Stated that the district had been kept in Peace by the chiefs of his tribe. The dispute in question is amongst the small men. The chiefs have taken it up. I don’t think it would be right to have the Court

The Court informed the claimants for adjournment that their application could not be acceded to. They had granted them an adjournment for a few days in order to give them time if they had wished to postpone the sitting. They should have applied to the Chief Judge or to the General Government. The Court are of opinion that not sufficient reasons have been brought forward and therefore cannot grant an adjournment.

The Court adjourned for ¼ of an hour and informed the claimants that when the Court resumed the claim called Kukutauaki would be proceeded with.

Hari Wirikaki: Stated to the Court that Kemp had stated that if the Court did not listen to his application he would go. Therefore it will not be right for him to come afterwards and request a rehearing. The Ngati Raukawa chiefs request an adjournment until tomorrow in order that they distribute food. They are very short and have to divide it.

Hoani Meihana: Agreed to the adjournment.

Court adjourned until Wednesday the 13th Nov. 1872