Rolland v Kaloran [2013] VUIC 2; [2013] VUICB 11; Chiefly Dispute Case 02-09 (19 April 2013)

IN THE EFATE ISLAND COURT
OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
(Civil Jurisdiction)

Chiefly Dispute Case No. 2 of 2009

BETWEEN:

SAMUEL ROLLAND &
KALTAKAE KALPI
Claimants

AND:

JOHN TAWIA KALORAN & FAMILY
Defendant

Coram: Justice Ann Carlo
Justice Harry Joshua
Justice Franciss Aru

Clerk: Jacky Manu

JUDGMENT

Hemia hemi Chiefly Distpute Case we oli calem "MARI WOTA MATUA TAPU". Chiefly Dispute ia hemi situated long Utanlang Village long Nguna Island. I kat Two Parties we tufala i stap disputem Title ia. Tufala main parties ia i kat Mr. Rolland Samuel olsem Claimant mo Mr. John Tawia Kaloran olsem Defendant blong case.

Efate Island Court hemi harem case ia long 15th April 2013 kasem 19 April 2013. Bifo kot i harem case ia, Spokesman blong Defendant Mr. Kaltakae Kalpi hemi askem kot spos hem i save lukluk festaim long Judgment blong Magistrate kot be Justice Ann Carlo hemi disqualifaem application ia from Matta ia i stap finis long Island Kot blong hemi deal wetem.

CASE BLONG CLAIMANT

Claimant blong case, Mr Rolland Samuel hemi mekem introduction long history statement blong hem mo talem se hemi blong Utanlang Village mo hemi pikininy blong Rollen Samuel mo Mercy Rolland blong Utanlang Village. Hemi stap claim se hemi rait man blong tekem Title ia "Mari Wota Matua Tapu" folem kastom fasin blong aelan ia mo history blong hem.

Hemi bin pas tru long Fest Step finis mo karem Fes nem (Mararea) long 26/12/1997 mo i kat winess. Claimant i talem se Pupu blong hem Matari 1 i bin karem title ia Mari Wota Matua Tapu mo oli bin ordainem hem long tapu stone blong ordination long Farea blong hem Esala.

Claimant i talem se Marialkau we istap long family tree blong hem i stap redy blong karem title ia be i sek nomo we Furai Miala mo Matari Kuae, tufala i karem Mansavi long wan dei long ely morning we i tudak yet. Oli aot long Malasoro i ko long Tukilasoa blong Missionary i ordainem hem long Church haus, hemia long 11/05/1900 long Taloa mission. Tufala Chief ia nomo i witnessem ordination blong Mansavi be i no Public blong Utanlang i witnessem.

From ordination ia, fait i stat mo Marialkau i faitem Mansavi long greve blong Tukilasoa long same day afta ordination blong Mansavi.

Claimant i pruvem tu long kot ia se hemi kat TOKO (Stone blong Ordination), FAREA (Nasara; Esala), MALALA (Ples blong danis; Malasoro), SILOA (Dish blong wasem hand) mo NAMULE (Ples blong putum hat blong ordination).

FAMILY TREE

Family tree blong Claimant hemi statem olsem, Matari 1 Pikininy blong hem Matari 2. Matari 2 woman blong hem Leisara blong Esala. Matari 2 hemi karem tltle ia Mariwota Matua Tapu bakeken mo oli ordainem hem long tapu stone blong ordination long nasara blong hem long Esala. Matari 2 pikiniy blong hem Marialkau mo Marialkau woman blong hem Leisai blong Rago rango. Marialkau i kat two boy we name blong tufala hemi Samson wetem Samuel mo Claimant blong Case Rolland Samson hemi pikininy blong Samuel.

Long cross-examination, Mr. Rolland Samuel i claim se hemi wan Paramount Chief be hemi karem first title nomo we hemi MARAREA be hemi no ordain yet. Title ia Papa blong hem Rolland nomo i kat right long hem. Claimant i talem tu se i kat 4 or 5 man oli Holi-holi be oli no save se title ia hemi blong whu mo eny chief i save kam Holi-holi. Papa blong hem i bin Holi-holi taim i kasem 37 yea. Spokesman blong Defendant i bin cross-examinem Claimant se i save talem biological papa blong hem mo hemi talem se Samson. Samson hemi wan Chief mo title blong hem, hemi Marpakae mo hemi kat Varea blong hem. Hemi continue blong talem long cro-examination se Samuel we hemi adoptif papa blong hem i no mared mo hemi no save hamas yea Samuel i holem Title ia Mari Wota Matua Tapu. Samuel i bin det from wan sickness we i kasem hem i lukim ol rabis soa oli stap kamaot long leg blong hem. Hemi talem se sickness ia i kamout long wan mo narafala title blong hem we hemi Manaruru Fakalo. Hemi confemem se Samuel i bin kat two title be ol nasara oli seperet. Claimant i bin agri tu long wan cross-examination question se taim lait i kam soa long Nguna, i kat sam kastomary rait tu oli bin lus.

WITNESS NO.1

Witness ia hemi talem se name blong hem Claris Jack. Hemi witnesem Claim blong Rolland Samuel long behaf blong man blong hem Jack Joe blong Utanlang Village. Hemi talem se Man blong hem i kat wan Chiefly Title we oli calem MATAPAU. Hemi Paramount Jif blong Utanlang Village. System we vaturisu i kam pefomem long Nguna hemi political.

Spokes Man Mr. Kaltakae Kalpi i examinem witness blong hem mo i talem se Man blong hem i no save kam stanap long witness box from hemi stap kat high blood pressure. Hemi continue blong talem se hemi supportem Claim blong Samuel Rolland we hemi stret line blong karem Chiefly Title ia Mari Wota Matua Tapu.

Long cross-examination, Spokes Man blong Defendant i askem long witness se hem blong wea ples long Nguna mo witness i ansarem se hemi blong Nikapa be i mared i kam long Utanlang mo i maredem Jack Joe long 11 August 1983.

Court hemi mekem wan cross-examination question i ko long witness mo askem hem se blong wan Chief i ordain, wanem nao Community i mekem, nao hemi ansarem se i gud se Community i mas staon tugeta mo agree blong whu ia kam Chief. Hemi talem tu se Man blong hem, Jack Joe i bin work long Forary bifo, be hemi no save gud wanem yea stret from taim ia hemi no maredem hem yet. Hem i talem tu se i no save from wanem man blong hem i no ordain taim title blong hem oli neva disputem.

Kot i cross-examinem witness long wan question se from wanem i talem political long statement blong hem, nao i talem se ordination blong John Kaloran i no folem blad laen be history blong Rolland Samuel nao i folem stret blad lain.

WITNESS NO. 2

Daniel Kalpilelu hemi witness No.2. Hemi confemem long kot se hemi kam long Utanlang Village mo hemi stap olsem wan small chief blong Utanlang. Witness i continue blong talem se long kastom blong olgeta long Nguna, man we ba i kam wan Chief, i mas ko tru long Tri steps. Ol Tri steps ia hemi; 1 Karem fest name; 2 I kam chief i karem bikfala nem; 3 I karem ritae nem. Witness i talem tu se ordination we vaturisu i pefomem hemi no folem kastom blong Nguna.

Mr. Daniel Kalpilelu i stap confem long kot se hemi sapotem Claim blong Rolland Samuel olsem Chief Mari Wota Matua Tapu.

Long wan cros-examination, Mr. Ephraim Kaloran i askem long hem se hem tu i part long drawem family tree blong Claimant mo hemi talem yes. Nao Mr. Kaloran i askem se Marialkau hemi kat hamas pikininy be hemi se i no save. Witness i continue blong talem se hemi no harem mo i no readim se Missi i laim sam nem long taim blong Ordination be hemi Ordain dairect.
Kot i mekem wan cross-examination mo askem witness se spos Samuel hemi stret man blong karem title ia be from wanem Papa blong hem i ded afta hemi no tekem title be witness i ansarem se from ol Man-kam. Witness i talem tu se hemi save olfala Samuel olsem wan Chief be hemi no save chiefly title blong hem mo i no save confemem spos Samuel i karem fes nem bifo ordination blong hem. Noaia kastom blong olgeta i folem bladlaen.

WITNESS NO.3

Witness ia hemi talem se name blong hem Api Frank mo hemi wan Chief blong Utanlang Village. Name blong Chiefly Title blong hem hemi MANLAE MIALA. Hemi explainem olsem wanem oli transferem Chifly Title name ia Mari Wota Matua Tapu i kam back long Utanlang. Fes Ordination long Taloa Jej afta taim we Ordination i finis, i kat wan raorao we i kamaot folem Marialkau wetem Mansai. Suasavi hae Chief blong Nguna hemi mekem wan demonstration long wan banana "NASIVARO". Banana ia i stap koko taim i ded, every pikininy tu oli ded. So i minim se wan long olgeta i nomo save tekem nem ia MARI WOTA MATUA TAPU bakeken. Witness i stanap blong sapotem Claim blong Samuel Rolland.

Long cross-examination, kot i askem hem se dispute ia i stat long wanem yea be hemi talem se hemi no save mo i stap confemem long kot se title ia Mari Wota Matua Tapu i stap naoia wetem John Kaloran. Mr. Api hemi confemem se i kat ol ordination befo be hemi no save talemaot stret century or date blong olgeta. Witness i talem se hemi no save Family Tree blong John Kaloran be hemi save nomo Family Tree blong Samuel Rolland we hemi true wan.

Witness i continue blong talem se hemi singaotem uncle long papa blong Claimant mo i tawi long Claimant. Kot i cross-examinem witness long wan question se spos hemi save about Matari 1 be hemi talem se i no save. Witness i continue blong talem tu se pefomance we vaturisu i kam mekem i no stret from Trone blong Mari Wota Matua Tapu i stap be olgeta oli no ko ordain long hem.

WITNESS NO. 4

Kaltakai Kalpi hemi witness No.4 blong Samuel Rolland. Witness i talem se hem blong Utanlang Village mo hemi wan Chief tu long Village ia. Witness i fokas mainly long Lidaship blong Chief Mari Wota Matua Tapu. Hemi continue blong talem se long village ia i kat 8 Nasara we i stap insaid long baondry ia. Wan wan Nasara ia i kat ol smol smol chief blong hem. Hemi stap trully sapotem se Chief Samuel Mararea hemi tru Chief mo Title ia Mari Wota Matua Tapu hemi blong hem. Hemi stap blong confemem long kot se Ordination we Vaturisu i mekem i no folem kastom fashin blong Utanlang.

Long cross-examination, witness i talem long Spokesman blong Defendant se ol Uncle blong hem oli kivim name ia "KALTAKAE" from ol graon long Utanlang Village mo mama blong hem nao i kamaot long olgeta.

Kot i cross-examinem witness long wan question se wanem counsel i singaotem Vaturisu i kam mekem ordination mo witness i ansarem se i no kat counsel mo ol Chiefs oli no wantem decission blong Vaturisu mo spos kot i kivim wan decision i kamaot ba oli act long hem nomo spos i folem kastom blong olgeta. Witness i continue blong talem se Kaloran i no kat rait long title ia from from title ia i kam finis i stap silip wetem Samuel. Samuel i kam tru long Matari 1 mo Matari 2 mo long kastom blong Nguna i folem blad laen blong Man. Witness i talem tu se Samuel i karem fes title nomo be i naoia i no chief yet. Mr. Kalpi i continue blong talem se ol history mo ol story ia, i kat 3 chiefs blong Nguna oli talem long hem mo History blong Samuel hemi stret history.

CASE BLONG DEFENDENT

EPHRAIM KALORAN

Bifo Defendant i presentem Case blong hem, Spokesman blong hem Mr. Ephraim Kaloran hemi mekem introduction long History blong case ia. Hemi talem se long 1989 olgeta Family Kaloran oli statem toktok blong Rolland Samson i mas stat blong kivim back role ia kambak long rightfull owner blong hem we hemi John Kaloran be hemi rifuse mekem se dispute i stat. Afta we Rolland Samson i continue blong refuse blong handem ova role blong Chiefly Title kambak long mifala, mifala i jalensem long plante mitings be wan miting long 1993 hemi desaid long feva blong Takaua mo Samson Kaltangi, tufala Cousin blong Samuel Rolland. Hemi strikemaot Rolland olsem stret blad lain blong Samson. Folem wan Judgment blong 1993 ia, wan miting i tekem ples long 1994, we tufala ia Takaua mo Samson Kaltangi oli kam long Utanlang. Long miting ia, i kat Chief blong Tanaropo mo Chief Taripoamara mo Chief Taripoamara nao hemi chairman.Tufala wantem save ground blong Papa blong Tufala mekem mifala ko workbout long hem, be instead blong workbout long ground ia, Rolland i tekem mifala ko workbout long ground we i associate long Chief Mariwota. Taim mi kambak long house, Kaltakai mo ol family blong hem oli faitem tufala wetem step papa blong tufala. Mekem se issue ia i no resolve. Mifala i chalengem long NAPE mo Vaturisu council of chiefs. Long 1997 olsem we mifala family Kaloran i winim case ia, Rolland no wantem save mo i continue blong holem Holi-Holi i stap. From risen ia, plante disputes, raorao, mo plante damages i happen from Rolland mo pikininy blong hem mo ol agents blong hem. Mr.Ephraim i talem se from we Rolland i no wantem respectem fes kot decision mo hemi no even wantem Appeal, olgeta yet oli kolem NAPE and Vaturisu blong oli kamback Second taim mo mekem Second Judgment long 7/05/1997. Mekem se olgeta i proccid mo ordenem John Kaloran i kam Mari Wota Matua Tapu. Spokesman i continue blong talem se stat long 1998 kasem 2003, ol samting stap impruve slowly mo i kat taimes we tufala group kam work tugeta mo even electem wan Chairman blong Council long Village we hemi Samuel Rolland be from outsaed influence, hemi resaen mo nomo wantem kam Chairman.

JOHN TAWIA KALORAN

Defendant blong case, Mr. John Tawia Kaloran i statem long History blong hem se long bifo, Paramount Chiefly Title blong Utanlangi Village hemi ol Nakainaga (Naflak) blong Nawita nao oli stap holem kastom title ia "MARI WOTA MATUA TAPU". Nao Naflak system olsem yumi save, hemi folem woman. System ia i mekem se bifo ol man oli no stap maret olbaot, ol olfala stap mekem wanem yumi kolem today, Pre-arrange maret. Hemi blong ensua se i kat continuity blong Chifly Title folem Naflak. Defendant i talem se olgeta history ia Uncle blong hem Robert Willy i talem long hem mo even ol olfala olsem Maripopongi, Elda Sam Kalkoa mo Tapanga oli confemem long hem taim hemi kam back long skul long 1978.

Defendant i continue blong talem se bifo, I kat wan woman we hemi blong Malasoro village, hemi naflak nawita. Hemi kam stap long Varea blong kinkifur, Varea blong chief Maripopongi blong Utanlang. Long taim ia i kat wan bigfala lafet (Naleoaana) wetem ol kastom dances. Defendant i talem se taim Chief Mariwota hemi luk hem mo i save se hemi naflak nawita nao hemi tekem hem i kam waife blong hem. Mariwota hemi kat wan pikininy we name blong hem Matalele we hemi kam naflak nawita bakeken from lain blong mama blong hem. Nao, Matelele i kam Mari Wota Matua Tapu. Hemi kat wan sista we name blong hem Lapotolu we ol descendant blong hem oli out olbaot i ko long narafala villages, even ko long Pele, Emau afta oli kamback long Utanlang. Family ia nao oli save gud olgeta olsem wan bikest family long Utanlangi today, hemi Family Kalkoa. Taim matelele i ded, Chief Manapanga i tekem Title ia bakeken Mari Wota Matua Tapu. Hem tu i kamaot long naflak nawita. Mr.John i continue blong talem se Manapanga hemi maretem wan woman we hemi naflak yam, hem nao i bonem Mansavi olsem only pikininy blong hem. Olsem we hemi naflak yam, mo hemi no stret lain blong tekem Chiefly Title ia Mariwota, Rev. Peter Milne i kam blong changem totally system blong naflak i kam long system blong Nanatu we hemi min se ol first born pikininy boy blong ol chiefs nao oli save kam chief bakeken. System ia Rev. P. Milne i introdusum mo i happen long majority blong ol villages blong Nguna mo Pele mo Efate be i kat sam villages we oli still yusum naflak system yet. Defendant i talem tu se Rev. Peter Milne i bin ordenem 12 chiefs long 11/05/1900 mo some narafala chiefs bakeken long 1905. Folem dairy blong P. Milne, Utanlang hemi wan long ol darkest mo last blong kasem lait (Gospel) i mekem se Mansavi hemi just part long ol last ordination blong 20/04/1905 we i tekem ples long Taloa mission. Taim Mansavi i det, papa blong mi (Kaloran) hemi kat 9 years nomo so ol olfala oli talem se bai Samuel i holem title ia blong hem festaim mo Samuel i ordain long 1935 be i no longtaim hemi det mo nem ia i foldaon istap kasem 1998.

FAMILY TREE

Defendant, Mr. John Tawia i talem se hemi stret pikininy blong Kaloran mo Leinasei Manusavi blong Utanlangi Village, Nguna. Hemi talem se hemi born long 1960 long French hospital long George Pompidou nao hemi kat 53 yea. Kaloran hemi stret pikininy blong olfala Chief Mansavi, mama blong hem hemi Mennie mo hemi blong Farealapa village. Papa blong hem Kaloran i maretem mama blong em (Leinasei) we hemi blong Rewoka village mo papa blong hem i born long 11/07/1918 mo hemi det long 21/01/1962 taim hemi kat 44 yea. Defendant i continue blong statem se papa blong hem i det long wan lightning strike long Utanlang village. Mama blong hem i born long 1925 mo hemi det long 1976 taim i kat 51 yea. Mansavi hemi tia (grand father) blong hem we hemi papa blong kaloran.

Long cross-examination, John Tawia Kaloran i talem se hemi kat 2 yea nomo afta Papa blong hem i det mo Title ia i stap wetem hem naoia olsem hemi Chief Mari Wota Matua Tapu . Hemi talemaot se hemi save soem long kot, Farea blong hem, Tapu stone blong hem mo ol narafala samthing we wan High Chief i kat long Nasara blong hem.
Hemi continue blong talem se bifo i kat ol process we wan high chief i tekem blong kasem ordination blong hem be naoia oli ordain olsem missi i mekem. Defendant i continue blong talem long cross-examiation se hemi kat 8 nasara we oli stap anta long lidaship blong hem mo hemi Chief blong Utanlang. Defendant hemi cross-examinem hem long wan question se wanem fest title blong Mari Wota Matua Tapu be hemi no save wetem ritai name blong hem tu. Defendant i talem se Ordination blong hem i folem kastom blong today mo hemi stap olsem Paramount Chief Mari Wota Matua Tapu blong Utanlang be hemi no Holi-holi.

Taim kot i cross-examinem Defendant, hemi talem se boundry blong hem i stap long North-West long Nguna mo i no kat eny man i claimem boudry blong hem. Hemi continue blong talem se kastom blong Nguna mo Pele oli nomo yusum system blong bifo mo chief i stil holem paoa blong hem i stap. Mr John i talem tu se taim hemi holem title ia, hemi traim plante taim blong mekem sam work be ol counsel oli no wantem kam tugeta. Ol family blong Samuel mo ol family blong hem oli link long wan nakamal nomo. Mo hemi talem se taim blong ordination blong hem i no kat fulap man oli kam. Defendant i stap confemem long kot se Samuel (Claimant) hemi no stret pikininy blong Chief be hemi pikininy blong Rolland. Hemi confemem tu long kot se hole laef blong hem, i stap nomo long Nguna mo statement blong hem i tru.

WITNESS NO.1

Name blong witness, hemi Tarisu Shem. Witness i talem se hemi kat 39 years mo hemi stret pikininy blong Shem David. Hemi bin skul long Malaliu long 1980 kasem 1984. Afta, hemi ko skul long Matarara franis skul from 1985 kasem 1990 mo afta long primary stadies blong blong hem, hemi kam stap long village kasem today. Noia hemi helder blong Presbyterian Church mo Christian Education trainer blong Ngunga/Pele session. Witness i continue blong talem se hemi bin spendem ova 10 yea wetem papa blong hem befo i det. Papa blong hem nao i tijim hem plante long history mo plante long ol kastoms proceja. Witness i kasem kastom ordiation blong hem long 5/07/2003 olsem Chief Tapangasongi mo Chief Mariwota Matua Tapu nao hemi ordainem hem. Ordination blong hem i tekem ples long Nakamal we yumi stap long hem today mo i stap confemem long kot se Duruaki mo NAPE counsel blong chief oli luk save hem olsem wan sab-chief long village ia.

Witness i continue blong talem se Shem hemi stret pikininy blong David Tapanga Mala we hemi wan ordain chief blong utanlang village. Papa blong hem mo hole families blong olgeta oli save gud se title ia hemi blong John Kaloran mo oli stap toktok blong sapotem hem long plante long ol mitings blong hem. Long 1997, papa blong hem Shem wetem smol papa blong hem Jimmy Atavi-pongi tufala i bin kasem bigfala injury long body blong tufala folem ol issues blong chiefly taitle we yumi stap tokbaot today we hemi Mari Wota Matua Tapu. Kaltakae Kalpilelu we hemi wan long ol claimant blong case ia wetem ol brata blong hem kaltangi mo sam yangfala blong Utanlang olgeta nao oli bin assaultem tufala from. Witness ia talem long statement blong hem tu se i wantem blong kot ia i save folem ol disput blong title ia, Mari Wota Matua Tapu we long 1990, plante pipol blong Utanlang oli bin sava long hem. Hemi talem tu se ol majority blong trabol ia, kaltakae nao i causem.

Mr. Tarisu hemi continue blong confemem long kot se bifo long 1989, i no bin kat any disput long Chiefly Title ia. Dispute ia i bin stat taim we papa blong hem hemi bringimap long wan miting long June 1989 se Rolland Samson hemi Holi-holi (care taker) blong plante yea i naf nao risen from we John Kaloran hemi bigwan inaf blong tekem title blong hem olsem Mari Wota Matua Tapu. Witness i confem tu long kot se Rolland Samuel nao hemi bin stap olsem Holi-holi blong Utanlang village taim issue hemi stat mo stret mining blong Holi-holi hemi min se hemi stap act long bihaf blong wan narafala man we nao hemi stret blad laen blong chief. Hemi confem tu se ol man long village mo Nguna oli save gud se Rolland we hemi stap olsem holy-holy blong plante yea be hemi no save tekem title ia from hemi no blong hem. Mr Tarisu i stap confemem long kot se ol narafala pis land we oli associate wetem Chiefly Title nem Mariwota, olgeta Kaloran family oli stap work long bifo ol yea 1900 kam kasem today, hemi well ova 100 yea. Hemi continue blong talem se folem history blong family kaloran, sapos tia blong John Kaloran (Mansavi), papa blong John (Kaloran) mo today we hem (John) mo ol pikininy blong hem oli stap work long graond ia kasem today, wanem evidence mo nao ba i pruvum Samuel Rolland se hemi stret blad laen blong Mari Wota Matua Tapu.

Long cross-examination, Spokesman blong Claimant i askem se from wanem papa blong John Kaloran i no ordain mo witness i talem se hemi smol i no inaf blong ordain long taim ia. Witness i continue blong talem se Vaturisu i respectem kastom blong yumi be from ordination stone i stap long olfala village nao i mekem oli ordainem hem long Varea blong hem nomo. Mr. Tarisu i talem tu se Wota Matua Tapu hemi Paramount Chief blong Utanlang be hemi no save se whu chief nao i stap serem baondri. Long wan cross-examination, Mr. Kaltakae i askem long witness se whu i stap wetem Chief Mari Wota Matua Tapu kasem wan week be hemi talem se hemi no save. Witess ia i stap confemem long kot se bifo, i kat ol steps blong kam wan High Chief be John Kaloran hemi no folem steps ia since we missi i changem long 1900.

Kot i cross-examinem witness long wan question se taim ordination blong John Kaloran, every parties i stap be witness i talem se no ol said blong Rolland nomo oli no stap. Witness i talem tu se family tree blong John Kaloran i stret from yu save luk Samuel insaid mo i talem tu se Samuel mo Samson tufala i kamaot long wan stampa nomo. Witness i confemem long kot se hemi stap long Nguna long full laef taim blong hem mo ol story ia Papa blong hem mo ol narafala chief oli talem long hem.

WITNESS NO.2

Witness ia name blong hem, Kenneth James. Hemi talem long statement blong hem se hemi karem name ia tu olsem Chief Satungia Mata. Hemi paramount Chief blong Pele Island mo hemi kat 69 yea. Hemi Chairman blong NAPE council blong chief blong Nguna. Hemi confemem long statement blong hem se bifo 1900 ol chiefs blong Nguna, Pele mo ol villages blong North Efate oli stap yusum Naflak system blong obtenem ol kastom title folem laen blong woman. Folem hemia, Missi Rev. Peter Milne hemi mekem fest ordination blong hem long Taloa mission long 11/05/1900 we hemi ordainem 12 chiefs blong Nguna, Pele mo some villages blong mainland Efate. System ia nao plante long ol Chiefs blong NAPE oli folem kasem today. Witness i stap confemem tu long kot se every process ia, oli stret nomo folem cultural changes blong ol kastom ceremonies we i bin stap happen within NAPE area counsel of chiefs. Mr Kenneth tu hemi part blong Vaturisu counsel of chiefs commission we olgeta i bin holem miting long Utanlang village long 6/04/1995 mo bakeken long 23/04/1998. Witness i stap confem long kot se ordination blong John Kaloran i folem nomol practice blong ol kastom chiefs blong NAPE.

Long cross-examination, Spokesman blong Defendant i askem long witness se hamas steps wan chief i mas pas true long hem blong karem ordination blong hem mo witness i ansarem hem se mait i kat plante steps be spos you born olsem blad blong chief, so you kat full raet long hem. Witness i talem tu se olgeta long Nguna mo Pele oli stap yusum naoia process we missi i statem kasem today mo even spos ordination i no tekem ples long tapu stone be oli folem sem process nomo. Mr. Kaltakae i cross-examinem witness long wan question se hamas nasara insaid long Utanlang Village be witness i no save confemem. Witness i talem tu se Organisation we i stap work long hem naoia hemi blong putum peace insaed long community mo hemi sapotem statement blong John Kaloran.

Kot i cross-examinem witness se whu i ordainem hem nao hemi talem se Parpaliu we hemi hed chief blong North Efate mo long taim ia olgeta 15 we oli bin ordain.Witness i continue blong talem se hemi no bin karem fes name taim oli ordainem hem. Afta long 1900, Missi i changem system i kam long Patriliniar System se i folem blad laen mo i continue blong talem se wetem system ia i kat peace insaid long community. Witness i continue blong talem se hemi sapotem history blong John Kaloran we hemi stret blad laen blong chiefly title ia Mari Wota Matua Tapu.

DECLARATION

Afta we Kot i cosiderem ol toktok blong tugeta parties mo lukluk carefully long ol finding we i mentionem antap, Kot i fainem long family tree blong Samuel Rolland i no complete be hemi halfway nomo. Hemi no save stampa blong hem. Ol witness blong hem oli base nomo long statement we hemi raetem be oli no ko deep. Plante question hemi raise blong Defendant i pruvum wanem yea ol even or action i tekem ples be oli no pruvum long kot. Kot i faenem se history blong Samuel Rolland hemi tu general.

History blong John Kaloran i start long stampa kasem generation blong hem i shoem se hemi folem stret blad laen blong Chief Mari Wota Matua Tapu. Hemi pruvum ol dates we ol even or action i bin takem ples start long Mansavi kasem hem we hemi stret blad laen blong man. Kot i faenemaot se tufala tugeta i kat nasara we hemi includem Tapu stone, Dish blong washem hand, place blong danis, place blong putum had blong chief mo sam narafala kastom propety we wan chief i kat.

Kot i faenemaot se Farea blong Chief tu hemi stret place we wan chief i save tekem ordination long hem. Kot i faenemaot se ol kastom fasin ia, plante ol High Chief long Nguna/Pele mo North Efate i bin yusum kasem today.

According long decleration ia, Kot i mekem olgeta odas ia:

1. John Tawia Kaloran hemi stret Paramount Chief Mari Wota Matua Tapu.

2. Samuel Rolland ba hemi save act olsem Holi-holi long Title ia spos Mari Wota Matua Tapu i no stap.

3. Chief Mari Wota Matua Tapu bae i mekem wan kastom reconciliation i ko long Holi-holi blong hem Samuel Rolland bifo 30th May 2013.

4. Holi-holi Chief Rolland Samuel bae hemi mekem kastom reconciliation i ko long paramount chief Mari Wota Matua Tapu bifo 30th May 2013.

5. Tufala Chiefs bae i mekem reconciliation mo kastom ceremony i ko long every pipole we oli stap long tugeta saed party blong oli kam wan mo blong bringim unity mo peace i kam back long Community blong Utanlang Village,Nguna Island bifo 30th May 2013.

6. I no kat oda blong Cost.

7. Tufala parties i kat raet blong appeal long 30 days spos tufala i no happy long decission ia.

Dated at Port Vila this 19th day of April 2013.

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Justice Ann Carlo Justice Franciss Aru

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Justice Harry Joshua