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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 71

I.—Eruera Taituha's Case

I.—Eruera Taituha's Case.

This Native sold his share on 20th August 1885. His mother swears that he was born in 1865 at the Waerenga-a-hika pa two days before the battle, and was therefore at the date of the sale only 20 years of age. This statement by his mother was shewn to be untrue. He was born several years before 1865, and must therefore have been of full age when he signed. A witness called to corroborate Eruera's mother swore that she and her husband used to live in a house situated within ten chains of the pa. Both were persons of high rank. Now wherever a child is born in or near a pa, to parents of high rank, the event being one of importance is immediately made known to every family in the pa. But it was conclusively proved to us that at the date in question the birth of any child to these parents was unknown in the pa.

Eruera's estate was vested in himself at the time he made his sale. It is a noticeable fact that when Wi Pere, Paterongo Noti, and Tipene Tutahi, as conductors in these blocks, applied to the Court on the 24th November, 1883, for the appointment of trustees for a large batch of Maoris, no application was made by any of them on behalf of Eruera Taituha, but Eruera's name was left undisturbed among the names of owners who had reached majority.

The Court will certify this case as proper for validation.