Aselis v Keremalus [1963] TTLawRp 14; 2 TTR 433 (23 July 1963)

TRIAL DIVISION OF THE HIGH COURT

TRUK DISTRICT

Civil Action No. 143

ASELIS (sometimes written ASENIS)

Plaintiff

v

KEREMALUS

Defendant

July 23, 1963

Action upon Master's Report for determination of title to land on Polle Island. The Trial Division of the High Court, Chief Justice E. P. Furber, held that plaintiff had no cause of action to dispute division of land by lineage during German times after having waited over forty years to bring action.

1. Former Administrations-Recognition of Established Rights

Where land in Truk was divided during German Administration without consent of former owner, and owner has raised no objection until forty years later, inference is strong that former owner either acquiesced in division or considered it valid.

Former Administrations--Applicable Law

If division of land on Truk was valid at time it was made, it must still be recognized as valid, and party may not now have it judged by some different standard from that which was in effect under law in force at time division was made.

FURBER, Chief Justice

Neither side having asked to be heard upon the Master's Report, either at or before the call of the list at the opening of the sitting at which this action came up for hearing upon the Master's Report, the action was taken under advisement without argument.

After examination of the transcript of evidence, the Master's Report is approved except for the words in the fourth paragraph of his findings of fact· translated as "employed by the Japanese government" and the words "for the Japanese" which words are disapproved. It is clear from the evidence that the absence from Truk which the plaintiff relies upon in this action occurred in German times and not in Japanese times.

OPINION

[1, 2] The plaintiff Aselis in this action is seeking to upset a division of lineage lands within Truk Atoll purported to have been made by his lineage in German times while he was away, to which he claims he never consented and under which the lands in question were given to the defendant Keremalus' father and by him to Keremalus. It would appear that the plaintiff Aselis received other land under the division and, after he returned to Truk, raised no objection to it until shortly before bringing this action. The defendant Keremalus occupied and used the lands now in dispute openly under claim of ownership for over forty years before the plaintiff Aselis raised any question about the division. The inference is strong that Aselis either acquiesced in the division or considered that it was valid, and is now seeking to have it judged by some different standard from that which was in effect under the law in force at the time the division was made. If the division was valid at the time it was made, it must still be recognized to be valid.