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A Compendium of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs in the South Island. Volume Two.

The Taieri Reserves

The Taieri Reserves.

The claims of Rawiri Te Uraura to the Native reserves were considered. Mr. Turton appeared for the Crown, Mr. Harris for the claimants, and Mr. Macassey for the counter-claimants, the Natives residing at Otago Heads.

Mr.Harris said that he understood an arrangement had been made on Saturday as to the claims, but a number of his clients had not been consulted in the matter, and he believed the arrangement was not generally acquiesced in.

page 234

Upon the suggestion of the Court, witnesses were called to speak to the existence of the arrangement.

Rawiri, the principal chief in the East Taieri, said that an arrangement between the Natives had been made. All the people of the Taieri and Otakou were present, and with the exception of the half-castes at the Taieri, all agreed to the arrangement. The arrangement had been proposed by the Otakou Natives, who said that if the Taieri Natives refused, they would not have any land at all. Notwithstanding the threats, I think the Otakou Natives have a right to share the reserve.

By Mr. Macassey: The way the Natives at the Taieri were pressed into making the arrangement was that the Otakou Natives represented the land as Taiaroa's, and that Raki, through whom we claimed, had no title. In former times it was considered that Taiaroa and Karetai owned the land. I and Raki have lived on the ground since we were children.

Wereta Tuarea: I am a chief residing at the East Taieri. Iwas present at the meeting of Natives, but did not consent to the arrangement, as I thought it an unfair one. I have lived 37 years on the Taieri land, ever since I came from Kaiapoi. Threats were used by the Otakou Natives to make us enter into the arrangement. Te Raki, in his life time, was chief of the Taieri Natives, having first taken possession of the land. When he died he left it to me. He gave me the paper produced. It was written by Matiu Korako, as Raki's amnuensis. Te Raki, Korako, and myself were present when it was written. During Te Raki's life, the Otakou Natives used to say among themselves that they had a claim, but they never made any to Te Raki. It was not until after his death, six years ago, that Taiaroa made the claim. I object to the Otakou Natives having any share in the land. They have no title.

By Mr.Macassey: The meeting was held last week. I was present, but I did not speak. My opposition was in my not speaking. (The Chief Judge remarked that with the Maori silence meant dispute, and that by the witness not having spoken, the rest would understand that he was a disputing party.) The document produced on my examination in chief was Te Raki's will, and I consider that he had willed to me. (The will was read as follows: December 17th, 1867. This is a document disposing of this land. On the 17th December, after the talk Hakaraia Te Raki made at the time of the weight of his illness. Formerly, I had this land. Now, I give it for both of your disposals. Te Wereta after me, let him look after the land; after him, Rawiri will look after the land. If the white man bring trouble on this land, it is for you to put it down. If the Native bring trouble on the land, it is for you to put it down. This is the ending of the talk of Hakaria te Raki). Te Raki lived two years after making the will. If be had made a previous will, it would not be binding, but one made later would be valid. (A document purporting to be a second will was handed to the witness who said he knew nothing about it). When my party came from Kaiapoi they went straight to the Taieri to reside.

By the Court: Taria was my relative.

Matiu Korako: I have lived at the Taieri for 25 years. I wrote Te Raki's will at his request. He dictated it. I read it to him, and he agreed. I never heard that he made a subsequent will.

Mr. Mantell was examined, but did not know anything of the rights, or supposed rights, of the Natives.

At this stage it was stated that the claimants and counter claimants had agreed that the Taieri Natives should have half of the reserve; the Otakou Natives a quarter; and Te One Topi's descendants the remaining quarter.

Evidence was given to show that such an agreement had been made.

Judgment was given in accordance with the agreement; the Court making it a condition, that the land would be inalienable.