Land courts

Date: 20 May 1992

From: Rawene Public Library oral history project

By: Brindle, Stephen John, 1907-2000

Reference: OHInt-0641/02

Description: Stephen John Brindle born Devonport 1907. Talks about father's life at sea and describes events leading up to father's arrival in New Zealand, with reference to Capt. Skinner of the Melanesian Mission schooner `Southern Cross'. Gives brief description of Melanesian Mission activities and previous Southern Cross wrecked around the Islands. Mentions father's friends, Mr and Mrs S P Andrew, a photographer in Wellington. Recalls returning from school to become father's assistant on the farm and family move back to Onoke in 1926. Refers to father belonging to Masonic Lodge in Kohukohu. Describes courtship and marriage in 1935. Mentions father-in-law, William Digby Young. Describes having tonsils removed by Dr Smith, appendicitis removed when 21 years and flu epidemic (1918-1919). Discusses history of Onoke's Native Land Court - the first in the Hokianga but not the first in New Zealand as records show. Explains that Whangarei held a court in 1862 and Onoke ca 1865. Discusses transport and the use of launches which were dependent on tides. Gives long and very detailed description of the cream-launch routine and the navigational skills needed to negotiate creeks and landing-stages in the darkness. Mentions launch driver, Ivor Bryers. Interviewer(s) - Alexa Whaley Venue - Omapere Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010750 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3805.

Date: [1900-1976]

From: McEwen, Jock Malcolm, 1915-2010: Collection

Reference: MS-Papers-6717-113

Description: Notes from Maori Land Court Minute books; `Historical notes from Tamaki-Nui-a-Rua (Dannevirke) by McEwen (JPS, Mar 1946) includes whakapapa, tribal conflict and land ownership. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Holograph Typescript

Date: 14 Dec 1982

From: Interviews about Rotorua by Don Stafford

By: Empen, Joe, active 1917-1982

Reference: OHInt-0470/10

Description: Joe Empen began working for the Maori Affairs Department in 1917. Mentions the Registrar at that time was Henry Seymour King and James Wakelin Brown was the Judge. Discusses the case relating to the beds of the Rotorua Lakes, the renting of them and the formation of the Arawa Trust Board. Comments that the Hansard reporters brought in were unable to cope with the Maori names and the whole of the case was transcribed by Mary O'Brian. Recalls the effect of the 1918 flu epidemic on local Maori including the deaths of Judge Thomas Henry Wilson and Tiari Waaka (Charlie Walker). Mentions the tangi of Morehu Kirikau. Talks about the Peerless dance hall, the rowing club, a cricket match and players including New Zealand representative Rupert de Renzie (Renzy) Worker. Discusses fishing and a boat shared by Mary O'Brian, Rangi Royal, Jack Morgan and others. Notes the Waiariki District Maori Land Court and Waiariki District Maori Land Board were amalgamated into the former body. Describes how there were Maori communities at Awahou, Ohinemutu, Whakarewarewa, Te Ngae and Mourea. Mentions Duncan William Steele who leased a lot of Maori land. Mentions the Pukeroa Oruawhata township case. Discusses the impact of Apirana Ngata of the Ward government in consolidating all North Island land titles in 1928. Notes that names were submitted for tribal ownership and titles examined but the shares within that ownership were determined later by the parties themselves. Talks about field officers Billy Cooper, Arthur Power and Maurice Bell. Mentions the Ruatoki consolidation scheme, the Whanau Apanui consolidation and the development of the Horohoro and Whakapoungakau block. Recalls the hard work of both Ngata and his contemporaries Maui Pomare, Peter Buck and Dr Ned Ellison. Mentions Hone Atutahi, interpreter Jane Foley and Kepa Ehau. Interviewer(s) - Don Stafford Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2858.

Date: 1 Oct 1984 - 01 Oct 1984

From: Child welfare in twentieth century New Zealand oral history project

By: Garrett, Ephra, 1923-2008

Reference: OHInt-0667/12

Description: Ephra Garrett gives details of qualifications achieved at school, two years at Wellington Teachers College, teaching in country schools and Wellington Special Section of Correspondence School. Discusses parental involvement in education of children with special needs. Recalls joining Department of Maori Affairs as Maori Welfare Officer for Ikaroa District. Mentions Society for Protection of Home and Family formerly Society for Protection of Women and Children. Refers to Marie Griffin. Also refers to Hunn Report 1961. Other topics mentioned include: Maori Womens Welfare League; apprenticeships; Maori Land Courts - adoptions; Racism; Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act (MSE); movement of Maori after the war; Feminism and disappointment at lack of feminists involved in social work. Mentions Merv Hancock, John McQuerry, Mabel Barrett and Ted Wadesworth. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Abstracted by - Sherryl Allen Interviewer(s) - Bruce Asher Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-011226 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4122.

Date: 1910 - 1930

By: Frost, Janet, active 2001

Reference: Curios-021-014

Description: Signature carved in wood, possibly puriri. The stamp has ink on the raised image, showing that it has been in use. Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Wooden carved block, 25 x 91 x 19 mm. Provenance: Donated by Ms Janet Frost in 2001.

Date: 1895

By: New Zealand Graphic and Ladies' Journal; Hawkridge, Bob, active 1890s

Reference: H-712-038

Description: A Maori woman holds high a mere in a battle stance. Signifies Maori women taking over from Maori men in the fight to keep their lands. The bar represents the Native Land Courts from which the Te Kotahitanga women at the Te Aute meeting had undertaken to seek justice no longer. Behind the bar the notice reads - A great Maori meeting was recently held at Te Aute. Miss Makere Mihi occupied the chair. They found, she said, that all their lands were drifting from them to the Government servants, or to the people that the Government chose to put on their lands. The men endeavoured for a long time to do something, and now the women had formed themselves into a committee and were going to see what they could do in the matter. If they did not succeed they would find themselves like the shags which sat on the sand banks and were fed by the winds. The following resolutions were carried - (1) That we have nothing further to do with the Native Land Court. (2) That we cease selling land. Also appears in the book 'Standing in the Sunshine' by Sandra Coney, 1993. Also appears in "Maori Women and the Vote" by Tania Rei, Huia Press, 1993. Exhibited in 'Harpies & Heroines: A cartoon history of the changing roles of women in New Zealand' Exhibition curated by Rachel Macfarlane and Cerridwyn Young of the New Zealand Cartoon Archive and exhibited at the National Library Gallery, 11 July - 26 October 2003. Other Titles - The Hui Wahine Extended Title - Minister of Lands - But, my good woman, if we don't buy your husband's lands how will you live? The New Woman - That's our affair. Quantity: 1 photocopy/ies. Physical Description: A4 size photocopy

Date: ca 1909

From: Original photographic prints and postcards from file print collection, Box 15

Reference: PAColl-7081-36

Description: Original caption reads: "Building, at Onoke, Hokianga, where first native land court was held in NZ, the administrator being Judge Manning [sic], writer of "Old New Zealand" ". Image taken circa 1909. Photographer unidentified. Inscriptions: See Scope and Contents Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s) postcard.