Kalmet v Ben [2013] VUIC 7; [2013] VUICB 6; Land Case 01 of 2000 (3 July 2013)

IN THE EFATE ISLAND COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
Land Case No.1 OF 2000
Held at Port Vila
(Civil Jurisdiction)

BETWEEN:

TIMTEO KALMET Representative of TOM KALMERMER KALMET family & Descendants
Original Claimant

And:

ROBATIT ANDRE BEN Representative of Kalmase family & descendants
Counter-Claimant No.1

AND:

RENE KALMET Representaive of Harrison Kalmet family and Descendants
Counter-Claimant No.2

AND:

MAKON ERIKAN Representative of Harry Albert Erikan family and Descendants
Counter Claimant No.3

AND:

SERU REUBEN Representative of Speter Reuben family and Descendants
Counter Claimant No.4

AND:

KALORUK LALIE Representative of Pakotong Kaluat family and descendants, Leo Lalie family and Descendants and Kalosik Aloa family and descendants
Counter-Claimant No.5(A)

AND

JOHN KALUAAT Representative of his family
Counter- Claimant No.5(B)

AND:

KENNEDY KALTAPAU Representative of Tom Kiame, Kalorib David and Pastor Falu Toukoune family and descendants
Counter-Claimant No.6

AND:

BILL KALSRAP AND CHARLES CARLO Representative of John Kalrongo Kalmari family and descendants
Counter-Claimant No.7

JUDGMENT

Hearing Date: 23rd July 2012.

Judgment Date: 3rd July 2013

Corum: Nesbeth Wilson
Magistrate

Justices: Chief Jimmy Meameadola
Chief Joshua Harry
Frank Daniel

Clerk: Manu Jack

NEM BLONG LAND CLAIM: NSLAR

Komposision blong Kot

Long Amendment Act No.35 blong 1989, Parliament i bin pasem se anda long seksen 2 blong Aelan Kot Act, CAP 167, taem we Aelan Kot isitaon blong harem dispiut long land bae wan Magistret i mas sitaon wetem trifala Aelan Kot Jastisis. Anda long seksen 2(a) blong Act ia, wan Magistret olsem bae ino save sitaon sapos Jif Jastis ino kivim authoriti long hem. Folem hemia Kot i wandem talem long ol patis se olgeta we oli deal wetem kes blong Nslar land oli qualifae evri wan.

Before Kot istart blong harem land kes ia ibin kat sam applications we sam patis oli mekem. Fas wan hemi application blong John Kaluat. Long application blong hem, hemi askem kot blong stopem Island Kot ino harem kes ia from se ibin gat kes finis long hem we hemi judgment No.44 of the Joint Court of the New Hebrides mo hemi se decision ia hemi life yet.

Afta kot iharem hem mo harem every nara parties, Kot ifaenem se application ia weh lawyer iraetem i mo signem. After kot iharem everywan kot idecide se bae ino save grantem application blong hem be kot iacceptem hem blong kam in, olsem wan party. Hemi refuse blong joen wetem brata blong hem Pakotong so hemi kam in olsem CC 5(B).

Wan nara application we John Kaluaat imekem hemi askem kot blong separetem olgeta parties we Kaloruk Lalie irepresentem, hemi se oli shud kam insaed individually be ino as a grup. After kot iharem olgeta everywan kot ifaenem se olgeta oli wan family nomo, mo oli shud kam tugeta mo claim tugeta mekem Kot hemi rule finis blong allowem John ikam in mo hemi kam CC5(B).

Long 10 September 2012 ibin kat wan oral application we Original Claiman imekem blong restrainem every party blong no mekem any development long land ia kasem kes ifinis. Ol nara parties oli supportem application ia. Kot hemi grantem application ia mo mekem wan order.

Taem order ia ikam aot wan lawyer Mr Daniel Yawah hemi mekem application ikam long Island Kot long 11 September 2012. Hemi apply ikam blong kam olsem wan party long kes olsem wan person we hem affected mo tu hemi blong setem aside or variem order blong 10 September 2012.

Fas request blong hem kot idecide blong hemi no party long kes be hemi save kam olsem wan agrived person we rights blong hem oli affected from se hemi Karen lease title no. 12/0912/573. Afta Kot iharem application blong hem mo harem ol parties long kes ia kot idecide blong variem orders blong 10 September 2012. Kot ibin mekem decision se bae Mr Yawah bae iwait kasem taem kot iwokabaot long land ia before hemi sart blong developem ples we ikaren lease long hem.

CASE BLONG ORIGINAL CLAIMANT – TOM KALMERMER KALMET
BASIS BLONG CLAIM BLONG HEM.

-Hemi claim custom onaship blong Big Jif Nmak.

- Fes occupancy mo kastom land tenure emi start long Big Jif ikam kasem olgeta descendants blong hem.

-Hemi claim follem bladline blo man.

PRESENTESEN BLONG CLAIM.

Spokesman blong Original Claimant hemi Timteo Kalmet. Taem hemi startem presentesen blong hem, hemi talem se Family tree mo genealogy records blong claimant ia hem ibin submitted iko long two kot cases finis, fes wan long Jiffly taetol case long Vaturisu Kastom Kot long March 2000 mo bagagen long Efate Island Court long August 2002 mo hemi talem se long side blong Efate Island Court, case ia hemi wan closed case finis mo eni attempt blong jenisim family tree ia bae hemi save bikam wan contempt of court proceeding.

Claim blong hem emi start wetem Paramount Jif Nmak Kalsaur weh hem nao, hemi custodian blong ol graon ia meaning hem nao hemi lukaotem mo ownem graon mo hem yet emi givim graon long ol man blong oli work long hem. Nating se Jif Nmak Kalsaur hemi givim graon long ol man but hem tu hemi gat graon blong hem wan mo ol descendants blong hem oli stap work mo live long hem. Normally follem kastom ol pipol oli shud mekem Nasautong weh hemi olsem kastom lease payment everi year iko bak long Paramount Jif from use blong graon but hemi talem se tedei oli nomo mekem practice ia. Wan long olgeta bladline descendants blong hem nao hemi original claimant ia Tom Kalmermer Kalmet.

Jif Nmak Kalsaur hemi bin originate from Bouffa antap but afta hemi bin lidim olgeta tribes blong hem ikam daon mo thru series of migrations hemi kam settle fesly long ol graon ia stat long Naisraber then ikam long Ekasuvat, then Engis mo finally Eraniao (Erakor Island tudei).

Ernas area kasem Nslar hemi ples we tufala son blong Kalmet Mpakus Nmak, hemia Charley Msaiui mo Tom Kalmermer tufala iagri long late 1960's se bambae Tom Kalmermer mo Family nao, bae oli owner long hem. Tufala brata ia tufala namba three bladline descendants blong big Jif Nmak Kalsaur thru son blong hem Jif Kalmetabil Nmak. Fes born son blong Jif Kalmetabil Nmak weh nem blong hem Kalmet weh hemi maretem woman ia Litares, hemia nao hemi bornem Charley Msaiui mo Tom Kalmermer.

EVIDENCES.

Witness No.1 – hemi Ben Tokai Pakoa. Hemi blong Tongoa Island but hemi kam live long graon blong Nslar/Ernas area sins 1960's. Hemi talem se hemi nephew blong Ruth Kalmasei mo Aunty blong hem Ruth hemi maretem Ben Kalmasei blong Erakor. Hemi talem se Aunty blong hem Ruth mo Uncle Ben Kalmasei tufala ibin talem long hem se kraon ia weh oli stap live long hem long Nslar hemi blong Tom Kalmet mo family blong hem. Main evidence blong hem, emi bin talem se hemi luk long eye blong hem weh Ben mo Ruth Kalmasei istap givim kakai blong garen igo long Tom Kalmet mo family blong hem olsem fasin blong soemaot rispekt ( Nasautong) from kraon we tufala ilive long hem.

Witness No.2 –Marie Helen Sam, hemi gel blong Marie, we I sister blong Robatit Andre Ben (CC#1) mo hem tu emi live long area blong Nslar wetem husband wetem ol pikinini blong hem. Marie Helen, Papa blong hem emi late Charley Kalmet Nmak. Hemi bin talem se taem emi smol hemi bin stap wetem Ati blong hem Ruth Ben Kalmasei mo hem tu emi bin eye witness long taem we Ati Ruth hemi stap mekem ol fas kaikai blong karen long everi yia igo long Apu Tom Kalmet mo family long Ernas station. Hemi also talem se Uncle Robatit Andre Ben hemi bin talem long olgeta around yia 2000, blong oli mas mekem wan fundraising blong surveyem mo karem title long graon, from we graon ia hemi blong Kalmet Family. Lastly hemi bin tokabout wan Supreme Court Civil Case no. 47 of 2002 we olgeta ibin mekem agensem Uncle Robatit Ben from hemi wantem ronemaot olgeta long graon ia.

Witness No.3 – George Kalmet, hemi son blong Tom Kalmermer Kalmet, mo hemi replesem late brata blong hem Jean Kalmet weh hem nao emi startem case ia but afta hemi bin pass away long January 2012. Hemi talem se Papa blong hem ibin mekem living blong hem wetem olgeta long Ernas start long early 1970's mo graon ia hemi blong olgeta. Papa blong hem, emi smol brata blong Charley Msaiui Kalmet weh hemi Paramount Chief blong Erakor. Hemi also talemaot se Papa blong hem nao ibin talem long olgeta pikinini blong hem se tufala Papa nao oli disaed blong sherem ol graon ia long tu parts; Chief Charley Kalmet Nmak bae hemi owner blong ol graon long southern part blong Erakor mo Papa blong hem Tom Kalmermer bae hemi owner blong ol graon long northern part blong Erakor kasem Nslar.

Hemi bin talem tu se Apu Kalmet Mpakus Nmak nao ibin givim kraon blong hem iko long Ben Kalmasei wetem woman blong hem Ruth.Hemi bin tokabout olgeta Land dealings weh olgeta counterclaimants long case ia oli bin mekem olsem Harrison Kalmet (CC#2) weh hemi salem Ntaf ni Paror, Robatit Ben (CC#1) weh hemi bin mekem survey mo mekem lease long ol pis graon long Nslar mo John Kaluaat (CC#5B) we hemi bin mekem survey mo karem title long wan part blong Ernas taem case ia hemi laef istap yet. Lastly hemi talem se taem brata blong hem emi laef yet ikat sam pipol oli threatenem olgeta mo oli traem fosem late Jean Kalmet blong withdrawem land case ia.

Witness No.4 – Timteo Kalmet, hemi nephew blong Tom Kalmermer Kalmet. Hemi talem se Papa blong hem emi Chief Charley Kalmet Nmak mo hemi bin storian plante wetem hem se graon blong Ernas kasem Nslar hemi blong Uncle Tom Kalmermer. Main evidence blong hem long kot ia hemi talem se hemi bin eyewitness long 1969 weh taem ia hemi gat 15 years finis weh tufala iagri se bambae Uncle Tom Kalmermer hemi karem ol graon blong Apu Kalmet Mpakus start long Ekpu/Esumlanr kasem Ernas mo Nslar. Mo tufala ibin agri se bambae Papa blong hem Charley Kalmet Nmak hemi karem ol graon blong Apu Kalmet Mpakus Nmak we oli stap long southern part long Erakor. Witness ia hemi bin assistem Kot ia plante long family tree blong claimant ia mo especially nao family links wetem olgeta narafala counter claimants long kot ia.

OL NARAFALA DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE.

Blong sapotem ol claims blong hem, original claimant hemi bin also submitim Judgement blong 7th August 2002 weh hemi wan Efate Island Court Judgement in relation to Chiefly Title dispute mo hemi talem se Judgement ia hemi wan closed case istap kasem tudei mo hemi stap showem koneksen blong ol parties mo samfala witnesses weh tudei oli stap bagegen long land case ia.

Hemi bin pointem aot olsem example long court case blong 2002 ia(exhibit "TKK1") weh ibin gat sam witnesses blong Sual Kalmari, first cross claimant long taem ia olsem Kaloruk Lalie weh hemi spokesman blong CC#5A long this case, long taem ia hemi talem long Kot se Jif Nmak Kalsaur hemi gat three pikinini boy; Kalomtak, Kalmetabil mo Kalfabun. Narafala toktok ikam from Jack Kalon, witness blong CC#1 long this case, weh long taem ia hemi talem long Kot se Kalomtak brata blong hem emi Kalmetabil.

Also hemi sabmitim wan extract blong Live Book 1 blong Rev.Graham Miller (exhibit "TKK2") abaut relationship blong Chief Nmak wetem man Samoa, Sualo weh oli givim Polynesian Title Pomare long hem but oli raetem olsem Bomal long local lanwis.

Lastly emi bin sabmitim wan extract blong Deed of Sale, dated 13 November 1882 mo hemi tokabaut sale blong Naisraber land by John Kalomtak, tija mo Jif blong Erakor tribe weh hemi act hem wan mo long behalf blong nephew blong hem Kalmet weh hemi pikinini boy blong late Jif Pomale of Erakor.

Kot hemi notem se follem family tree weh Original Claimant hemi sabmitim long case blong hem long Family tree blong big Jif Nmak Kalsaur long page 14, igat wan pikinini boy blong Jif Kalmetabil Nmak weh name blong hem emi Kalmet Mpakus Nmak brata blong Kalsoong mo Toufabun. Igat high probability se Kalmet weh deed of sale blong 1882 hemi talem isave minim Kalmet M.Nmak ia nao from inogat eni narafal Kalmet bagegen weh hemi nephew blong John Kalomtak.

BAONDTRI BLONG GRAON WE HEMI CLAIMEM.

Long baondtri map we oli presentem long kot ia hemi showem se claim blong Original Claimant Tom Kalmermer hemi start long point A inside Nslar area iko kasem point B long Ekoftau area iko kasem point C long Elak Naulwaki follem ikam kasem Point D long Ernas area iko long Point E long Emetaruarof follem coastline blong Erakor lagoon bitim Ntaf ni Paror iko bak long point A Nslar.

FAMILY TREE.

George Kalmet wetem brata blong hem late Jean Kalmet, tufala sons blong Tom Kalmermer Kalmet wetem woman blong hem Elizabeth Wayane.Tom Kalmermer hemi second born son blong Kalmet Mpakus Nmak wetem woman blong hem Litares mo Kalmet Mpakus Nmak hemi son blong Chief Kalmetabil Nmak wetem Libet mo Chief Kalmetabil Nmak hemi son blong big Chief Nmak Kalsarur wetem wife blong hem Mpes. Jif Nmak Kalsaur nao hemi bigfala Chief mo custodian blong olgeta graon ia.

CASE BLONG BEN ANDRE ROBATIT – COUNTER CLAIMANT NAMBA 1.

BASIS BLONG CLAIM BLONG HEM.

- Claim hemi based long taem oli givim graon olsem gift.(hemi talem se Nasautong)
- Whether hemi iko long Man or Woman but taem oli givim oli gat rait ia nao.

PRESENTESEN BLONG CLAIM.

Claimant ia hemi gat 68 yias old mo taem hemi startem case blong hem hemi talem se Nslaar hemi wan strong custom ples blong Erakor. Custom owner blong hem emi Apu Chief Tata blong Erakor village weh olgeta pikinini blong hem igat Matai, Sakari mo Yoan. Taem Apu Chief Tata emi ded piknini blong hem Chief Matai Kalsong hemi tekem ples blong hem mo hem nao iputum ples ia Nslaar iko long Papa blong hem Ben Kalmasei blong work long hem long 1953. Afta Chief Matai hemi ded but still wan pikinini blong hem, Arthur Matai hemi tekem ples blong Papa blong hem olsem wan Chief blong Erakor. Hemi se long taem blong Chief Waya Tenene hemi rule olsem Chief blong Erakor village, custom owner mo Chief Arthur Matai olsem assistant Jif tufala nao wetem council oli saenem paper blong oli work long graon ia.

Hemi talem se rod ibin kam tru long yia 1966 to 1968 assistant Chief Charley Kalmet nao mo President blong community council long taem ia, Apu Api Carlot mo land council blo Erakor oli bin kam askem long Papa blong hem Ben Kalmasei sapos rod mo bridge isave go thru long Nslaar. Taem work igo hed, Erakor bridge ibin pass long wan smol island we oli kollem Naur ni kusu (Island blong rat) weh Papa blong hem ibin buildim wan haos long hem bat after agreement blong rod papa blong hem iseftem haos iko long big land Nslaar.

Hemi bin tok abaut side blong baondtri blong Nslaar tuwods southern side ikat Ntaf ni Paror weh hemi wan ples weh taem wan man or woman ilusum hed blong hem ol Apu oli stap kam putum hem long ples ia nao. Hemi continue blong talem se hemi bin berem Papa blong hem Ben Kalmasei, Mama blong hem Ruth, bigfala brata blong hem mo wan smol Apu long Nslaar.

EVIDENCES.

Witness No.1- Arthur Matai. Hemi former Assistant Chief blong Chief Waya Tenene weh hemi rule sins 1971 kasem 2007 olsem Chief blong Erakor Village. Hemi namba four generesen blong Chief Kalsong Tata weh hemi bin rule sins 1880's kasem 1930's olsem Chief blong Erakor village. Hemi talem se Kalsong Tata nao hemi givim graon ia long son blong hem Kalotiti Kalsong, mo long sem fasin Kalotiti Kalsong hemi givim graon ia long son blong hem Matai Kalotiti mo Matai hemi Papa blong hem(Arthur).

Hemi konfirmem nomo se long taem Papa blong hem emi rule olsem Chief blong Erakor wetem nem Chief Matai Kalotiti around 1952 till 1960, during taem ia nao Ben Kalmasei ibin disaed blong livim Erakor Island mo go settle long Erakor mainland mo Papa blong hem emi sorry long hem nao hemi givim pis land ia Enslaar (Erakor bridge) olsem gift iko long hem. Sins that taem olgeta family blong Ben Kalmasei oli live mo work long land ia.

Witness No.2 – Jack Kallon. Witness ia hemi Head Jif blong ol Nametrau (tribes) blong Erakor mo hemi gat 66 yias old. Hem tu emi namba four generesen blong Chief Kalsong Tata mo emi talem se graon ia Nslaar emi blong Chief Kalsong Tata. Hemi also talem se taem olgeta families oli stap live yet long Erakor Island long around 1950's nao Uncle blong hem Chief Matai Kalsong weh hemi grandson blong Chief Kalsong Tata, hem nao emi givim graon ia long Ben Kalmasei mo family blong hem mo graon ia oli kollem Enslaar. Hemi also bin wan witness long taem Chief Justice Lunabeck hemi bin wokabaot raon long land blong Nslaar follem civil case no. 47 of 2000 mo long taem ia hemi bin mekem sam disisens olsem part blong Jadgement blong hem long long graon ia.

OL NARAFALA DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE.

Claimant ia hemi presentem three documents. Fes wan hem wan document weh Chief Waya Tenene olsem Chief blong Erakor village hemi bin saenem mo talem se family Weis Ben nao oli kat rait blong work long graon ia Nslaar. Namabatu document hemi wan copy blong wan consent order to do wetem civil case no. 47 of 2002 weh witness namba tu Jack Kallon hemi bin tokabaot. Namabatri evidence igat two documents weh hemi related long land titles inside graon ia Nslar weh igat two leases weh Minister blon Lans hemi bin signem long 2002 mo 2005.

BAONDTRI BLONG GRAON WEH HEMI CLAIMEM.

Long baondtri map weh hemi presentem long Kot hemi talem se baondtri hemi start long pasis ia Enslaar follem solwota ikam fas long Ntaf ni Paror mo iko fas long baondtri blo Esake mo crossem ikam bak long Enslaar. Hemi bin presentem wan map mo inside long map ia igat tu ol narafala counterclaimants oli stap inside long map ia mo blong hem emi colourem long red colour.

FAMILY TREES.

Ben Andre Robatit hemi pikinini blong Ben Kalmasei wetem wife blong hem Ruth, Ben Kalmasei hemi pikinini blong Kalmasei wetem Toumerman Kalomtak, Toumerman emi daughter blong Chief Kalomtak Nmak wetem Toupong Wiwi mo Chief Kalomtak emi pikinini blong Marik Nmak Kalsaur ( Bomal Motu).

CASE BLONG HARRISON KALMET - COUNTER CLAIMANT NAMBA 2.

BASIS BLONG CLAIM BLONG HEM.

- Bigfala Chief hemi Lan ona mo hemi givim graon long ol pikinini blong hem
- Graon hemi blong pikinini weta hemi man or woman.

PRESENTESEN BLONG CLAIM.

Spokesman blong counterclaimant ia hemi Rene Kalmet, brata blong Harrison Kalmet mo hemi gat 52 years old. Hemi talem se Harrison Kalmet hemi ownem land ia (Ntaf ni Paror) tru long bubu blong hem Kalsong Kalmetabil Nmak Kalsaur. Kalsong hemi last born son blong Kalmetabil Nmak mo hemi tok abaut smol family tree se Kalsong hemi gat 2 girls Melly mo Sabelle but Sabelle hemi ded taem emi yangfala nomo. Nara girl Melly hem nao hemi Mama blong claimant ia.

Hemi talemaot se land ia Ntaf ni Paror, Bubu blong hem Kalsong nao hemi ownem land ia mo hem nomo hemi bin work long hem. Taem bubu Kalsong hemi ded, hemi passem land ia long only girl blong hem Melly mo Melly weh hemi Mama blong claimant Harrison mo spokesman Rene, hem nao ibikam land ona mo afta boy blong hem yet Harrison hemi tekem bakeken. Lastly hemi talem se igat ol narafala land blong Kalsong Kalmetabil long Erakor olgeta oli stap work long hem we ino gat dispute long hem wetem Tom Kalmet, original claimant.

EVIDENCES.

Witness – Claimant ia hemi gat one witness ia nomo weh hemi Maurice Kalmet. Maurice hemi wan adopted brata blong Harrison mo hemi gat 59 years old. Statement blong hem emi short nomo mo hemi stap konfirmem se graon ia hemi stret graon blong bubu blong olgeta Kalsoong weh hemi Papa blong Mama blong hem, Melly.

Hemi talem tu se igat long wan taem long yia 1970, Kalmet Mpakus hemi bin ko luk hem wetem wan brata blong hem mo olgeta oli bin go pulum aot olgeta navara weh ibin stap long ples ia, reason from Kalmet Mpakus hemi talem se Tom Kalmermer wetem Melly oli rileted long wan Bubu nomo. Hemi ripitim claim blong brata blong hem Harrison se graon ia hem blong bubu Kalsoong mo taem bubu hemi ded graon hemi kam long Mama blong hem Melly mo afta brata blong hem Harrison hemi tekem ova graon ia.

Long cross examination witness ia hemi bin konfirmem se long 1978 ibin gat wan kot long Erakor village about graon ia mo olgeta parties long taem ia igat Harrison Kalmet, Hoken David mo Kamy Kalmet mo long taem ia wan witness long case blong Harrison hemi Uncle blong hem Tom Kalmet Kalmermer. Erakor Village Kot disisen hemi bin mekem disisen iko long Harrison Kalmet olsem land ona mo base long village kot disisen ia nao Harrison hemi mekem lease long graon ia.

OL NARAFALA EVIDENCES.

Ol nara evidences weh Claimant ia hemi produsim olsem part blong claim blong hem igat wan family tree weh hemi linkim olgeta iko bak long Marik Nmak Kalsaur thru son blong hem Kalmetabil. Mo tu ibin gat main evidence, wan document dated 1 December 1998 signed by Harrison Kalmet mo witnessed by Jif Waya Tenene mo Mr Malau Kalkot, Jif mo Kot Sekreteri weh hemi konfirmem nomo disisen blong Village Kot se Harrison Kalmet hemi land ona long graon ia weh oli kollem "hill blong karange" or Ntaf ni Paror. Document ia nao witness Maurice Kalmet hemi bin tokabaot long kot.

BAONDTRI BLONG GRAON WEH CLAIMANT HEMI CLAIMEM.

Claimant ia claim blong hem emi stap long Ernas start long solwota iko kasem hill blong krange iko narasaid long public rod mo follem public rod ikam tuwods Erakor bridge fas long baondrti blong Robatit Ben follem ikam antap long hill kasem wan yang nambanga tree iko stret kasem solwota mo follem solwota ikam bakegen long start blong hem.

FAMILY TREE.

Harrison Kalmet hemi pikinini boy blong Kalmet Yacob wetem Melly, Melly hemi girl blong Kalsoong wetem Toufes. Kalsoong hemi pikinini boy blong Kalmetabil wetem Libet mo Kalmetabil hemi boy blong Chief Nmak Kalsaur (Bomal). Harrison hemi namba five generesen blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur

CASE BLONG HARRY ALBERT ERIKAN – COUNTER CLAIMANT NAMBA 3.

BASIS BLONG CLAIM BLONG HEM.

- Graon hemi gift ikam long Uncle follem Kastom(Napumas).
- Jif mo Kaonsel blong Erakor hemi putum baondtri mark mo konfirmem land onaship.

PRESENTESEN BLONG CLAIM.

Makon Erikan brata blong claimant, Harry Albert Erikan hem nao emi spokesman long claim ia. Hemi tekem case long behalf long brata blong hem weh hemi bin pass away finis. Hemi talem se bigfala Uncle blong hem, Kalmasei Thomas nao hemi givim graon ia long Harry Albert long 1967. Hemi bin mekem karen long graon ia mo same yia yet hemi bin mekem wan Haos wetem help blong Uncle blong hem Kalmasei Thomas mo wan brata blong hem Kapea Erikan. Haos ia hemi stap kasem taem hurricane Uma hemi kam long 1987 afta taem ia nao ruf blong haos blong Tom Kalmet emi fly aot mo tekem aot haos ia blong hem.

Hemi talem se long 1975 Jif Waya Tenene blong Erakor Village mo Kaonsel blong hem olgeta yet oli bin putum mark long graon ia mo long taem ia smol uncle blong hem Thomas Kaluaat wetem Tom Kalmermer tufala yet ibin mekem mark long baondtri ia long graon bitwin hem wetem Tom Kalmet mo oli bin respectem kasem taem Jean Kalmet nao hemi trespass mo damagem kraon blong hem.

Wan main proof blong work long graon ia hemi taem hem ibin plantem sam kokonas we sam oli still stap tudei. Ol narafala toktok hemi base long developments long graon ia olsem bildim haos, nakamal mo church, but yet Jean Kalmet hemi no lessen long Jif Nmak Kalmetabil mo continue blong claim kasem taem hemi lodgem case ia long Aelan Kot.

EVIDENCES.

Igat wan witness nomo mo nem blong hem Asael Kalopong Wayane mo hemi gat 62 yias old. Hemi stap blong konfirmem nomo statement blong Harry Albert Erikan se around 1960's Uncle blong hem Kalmasei Thomas nao hemi givim graon ia long hem blong mekem karen long hem.Hemi bin talem se stret ples weh Harry Albert hemi stap long hem graon ia oli kollem Esake mo Esake hemi ko fas long Emokur, ples blong Tom Kiame.

Hemi bin mekem wan toktok long cross examination by spokesman blong counter claimant namba 5A, Kaloruk Lalie taem hemi bin kwestenem Asael se taem bifo olgeta families blong Kalomtak nomo oli work ia mo hemi bin namem Kaluaat, Kalosik, Leisong mo Josephine se olgeta nao oli bin fes wan blong work long graon ia mo witness hemi ansa, yes. Long nara toktok witness ia long ansa long kwesten ikam long claimant 5B John Kaluaat se sapos igat sam samting long graon ia weh kot hemi save luk olsem prove long work long graon mo hemi ansa se igat wan well weh hemi stap yet kasem tudei. Long lukluk blong Kot witness ia hemi wan reliable witness from hemi save gud olgeta families ia mo olgeta developments weh hemi bin tek ples long graon ia.

OL NARAFALA EVIDENCES.

Kot hemi notem nomo se olgeta nara counter claimants oli agri wetem claim blong Harry Erikan mo oli no bin askem tumas question long case blong hem.

BAONDTRI BLONG GRAON BLONG HEM.

Boandtri blong graon ia hemi start long main road klosap Enam Church iko kaem wan stampa Nambanga tree iko kasem Namalaus tree mo tanem iko tuwods direksen blong Erakor Bridge ikam kasem wan Melek tree mo follem stret line iko bak tuwods main rod kasem Namalaus tree mo follem main rod iko bak long Enam.

FAMILY TREE.

Harry Albert hemi pikinini blong Albert mo Bina, Albert hemi pikinini blong Erikan mo Touskau, Erikan hemi pikinini blong Kalosin mo Likap, Kalosin hemi pikinini blong Kalmary mo Lilgai.

Lilgai ia, hemi bin talem long toktok blong hem long Kot se hemi piknini blong Jif blong Eratap. Harry Albert hemi singaotem Uncle long Kalmasei Thomas from se hemi bigfala brata blong Mama blong hem Bina.

CASE BLONG SPETER RUEBEN –COUNTER CLAIMANT NAMBA 4.

BASIS BLONG CLAIM BLONG HEM.

-Graon ia oli givim follem kastom (Napumas).

-Jif mo Kaonsel blong Village oli putum baondtri mark mo konfirmem land onaship.

PRESENTESEN BLONG CLAIM.

Claimant ia Speter Rueben, hemi gat 73 years old, hemi olfala mo hemi gat hearing problem so son blong hem nao Tom Seru Speter hemi spokesman long case ia blong Papa blong hem. Claim blong hem emi short nomo. Hemi startem presentem claim blong hem blong talem se long 1966, taem ol olfala blong Erakor oli bin katem first rod blong trak, taem ia first rod ia ibin pass long graon blong hem mo hemi letem blong rod isave pass but afta oli survey mo katem rod ipass long Esake through Emokur.

Hemi talem se graon ia hemi blong Apu Apiu mo wife blong hem Ati Limor, mo talem se thru Ati Touran nao hemi bin givim graon ia olsem Napumas iko long Ruben Kalontan, fes born boy blong hem.
Ruben Kalontan hemi Papa blong Speter Rueben. Hemi talem tu se Jif Waya Tenene mo Assisten Jif Ata Matai, tufala nao ibin konfirmem se graon ia, stret lan ona nao hemi Speter Rueben. Speter hemi talem se Papa blong hem Ruben Kalontan hemi work fastaem long graon ia mo taem ia oli stap pull long kenu nomo from Eraniao ikam blong work long hem from rod ino gat long taem ia, mo afta hem yet hemi stap work long graon ia long 1960's ikam but hemi no bin luk family blong Jean Kalmet oli work long graon ia long taem ia.

EVIDENCES.

Main witness blong claimant ia hemi Apiu Joseph mo hemi kam witnessem se hem olsem namba 4 bladline generesen blong Apu Apiu mo wife blong hem Ati Limor weh tufala nao oli kastom ona blong sam part blong graon ia weh istap long dispute. Hemi talem se graon blong Apu Apiu hemi start long Ekoftau long east iko limit wetem graon blong Jif Kalsong Tata long west, we family Ben Kalmasei oli live long hem mo ko thru long Esake, Emorkur mo Elaknaulwak.Hemi talem se olgeta descendants blong Apu Apiu mo Limor oli stap work mo ownem graon ia ova 100 yias finis mo ol pipol blong Erakor oli save gud.

During cross examination by Spokesman blong Original Claimant, Timteo Kalmet igat wan kwesten hemi askem long witness ia se originaly tufala Apu mo Ati ia oli kam wea mo witness hemi ansa se antap long Monmatre. Story ia blong tufala Apu ia hemi similar long original muvments blong pipol weh oli migrate ikam daon long area ia olsem istap long sabmissen blong Original Claimant. Antap long hemia Timteo hemi bin askem sapos witness ia hemi save se tufala ia ibin stap anda otority blong Jif Nmak Kalsarur but witness hemi ansa se hemi no save whu Jif tufala istap anda long hem.

OL NARAFALA EVIDENCES.

Igat wan hand written letter of support dated 9 February 2006 weh itekem signatures blong Jif Waya Tenene olsem Jif blong Erakor Village mo Assistant Jif Ata Matai, weh tufala istap talem aot nomo se Speter Ruben nao hemi kastom ona long graon weh oli stap live long hem. Bagegen Kot hemi bin notem se ol narafala counter claimants oli bin sapotem sabmissen blong claimant ia or oli bin askem smol kwesten nomo long hem long case blong hem.

BAONDTRI BLONG GRAON.

Baondri blong graon blong claimant ia hemi start long Elaknaulwaki, long wan stampa namalaus tree iko stret long Ekoftau, iko tuwods Elaksukrik mo Elakmbakuflar iko long Esake mo Emorkur afta kam bak join long Elaknaulwaki.

FAMILY TREES.

Speter Ruben hemi pikinini blong Reuben wetem wife blong hem Olive, Reuben hemi pikinini blong Kalontan wetem Touran, Touran hemi pikinini blong Apu Apiu mo Ati Limor weh claimant ia italem se tufala nao kastom ona blong graon ia. Speter hemi namba four genersen blong tufala ia.

CASE BLONG PAKOTONG KALUAAT, LEON LALIE, KALOSIK ALOA –COUNTERCLAIMANTS NAMBA 5A

Kot hemi notem se igat three parties oli join tugeta olsem joint counter claimants inside claim blong counterclaimant namba 5A. Spokesman blong olgeta parties ia hemi Jif Kaloruk Lalie.

BASIS BLONG CLAIM.

-Claimem land onaship thru bloodline.
- Based long fes work long graon ova four generesens.

PRESENTESEN BLONG CLAIM.

Claimant weh hemi bin originaly mekem counter claim againstem Jean Kalmet, pikinnini blong Tom Kalmermer long Land case ia hemi Kaluaat Thomas. Igat rekods blong Kot hem showem se Kaluaat Thomas weh hemi Papa blong Pakotong mo John (CC#5B) hemi bin lodgem claim blong hem long 16 June 2003 but afta hemi bin pass away long yia 2006.Naoia Pakotong hemi replesem Papa blong hem.

Claimant late Kaluaat Thomas hemi bin talem taem hemi mekem statement blong claim ia blong hem hemi gat 74 yias old mo graon ia hemi blong Papa blong hem Thomas Kalomtak, mo Papa blong hem nao igivim graon ia long hem. Hemi talem se taem oli stap long Erakor aelan bifo, oli stap kam mekem karen mo kopra long hem. Hemi talem se samfala kokonas weh Papa blong hem iplantem istap kasem tedei mo afta hem tu ibin planem sam bagegen.

EVIDENCES.

Fes Witness hemi Pakotong weh hemi last born pikinini blong late Kaluaat Thomas mo hemi mekem statement blong hem blong talem se taem hemi born Papa blong hem Kaluaat Thomas hemi stap work long graon ia finis. Graon ia hemi blong Papa blong Papa blong hem, Thomas Kalomtak mo waef blong hem Toufau Thomas mo hem nao igivim graon ia long Papa blong hem Kaluaat Thomas mo sins taem ia oli mekem haos mo live long graon ia istap kasem tedei.

Hemi talem aot se aot long family blong Kaluaat Thomas olgeta oli eight pikinini everiwan mo everiwan oli kro ap long graon ia mo kaikai long graon ia. Samfala proof blong work blong Papa blong hem istap yet tedei olsem olgeta coconuts mo olfala garen blong bifo.

Hemi also talem se Tom Kalmermer weh hemi Papa blong Jean Kalmet, taem oli kam bak long Tanna hemi bin askem bigfala Papa blong hem Kalmasei Thomas blong sapos hemi save kam bildim haos blong hem long graon ia mo taem ia hem wetem Papa blong hem Kaluaat Thomas wetem Jif Waya Tenene blong Erakor wetem kaonsel blong hem oli bin markem ples weh Tom Kalmermer hemi bildim haos blong hem. Oli bin also plantem sam kokonas olsem mark blong graon ia mo sam oli stap yet tedei.

Sekon witness hemi Leon Lalie hemi gat 59 yias old, mo hemi talem se long bifo ikam olgeta descendants blong Jif Kalomtak, son blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur nao oli stap work long graon ia. Hemi bin talem se olgeta graon ia oli allocated olsem;

Eria blong Ernas – blong Laliet Thomas, hemi mekem karen long hem taem oli stap yet long Eraniao.

Eria blomng Emetaruarof – blong Kaluaat Thomas, hemi mekem karen long hem taem oli stap yet long Eraniao aelan.

Eria blong Esake/Emorkur –blong Kalmasei Thomas, hemi mekem karen long hem sins oli stap yet long Eraniao aelan. Kalmasei Thomas hemi givim Emorkur iko long Harry Erikan.

Spokesman Jif Klaoruk imekem wan application blong withdrawem name blong Kalosik Aloa long kes ia from claim blong hem istap outside long disputed boundary.

OL NARAFALA EVIDENCES.

Wan main Evidence oli sabmitim hemi Family Tree blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur Pomal 1. Family tree ia hemi showem se Jif Nmak Kalsaur wetem wife blong hem Litapang, pikinini boy blong tufala nao hemi Jif Kalomtak Nmak. Jif Kalomtak Nmak wetem wife blong hem Toupongwiwi igat olgeta pikinini ia Toumor, Toumerman, Kalsosik mo Thomas. Thomas ia nao hemi givim graon long pikinini blong hem Kaluaat Thomas. Kot ifaenem se same Jif Nmak Kalsaur ia nao Original claimant hemi basem claim blong hem long hem but nomo Kalmetabil wetem olgeta families blong hem weh Original Claimant oli kam aot long hem ino stap long Family tree ia.

Kot hemi faenem se long taem blong cross examination long tufala witnesses, tufala ibin stanap strong blong talem se late Kaluaat Thomas hemi no bin storian long olgeta about Kalmetabil mo instead witness Leon Lalie hemi talemaot se afta Jif Nmak Kalsaur, Jif Kalomtak hemi rule mo afta ikat olgeta jifs ia, Jif Kalsong Tata, Jif Samuel, Jif Matai mo Jif Waya Tenene olgeta nao oli rule ova Erakor olsem big Jifs.

BAONDTRI BLONG CLAIM.

Baondtri hemi start lo solwota long Elak Napuktau ifolem boandtri blong Harrison Kalmet iko kasem bigfala main rod mo follem main rod iko tuwods Erakor/Esake ikam kasem wan nantau tree mo iko daon long baondtri blong Mrs Lolet Kalfabun kasem solwota long area blong Emetaruarof mo follem solwota ikam bak long Elak Napuktau.

FAMILY TREE.

Olsem istap long antap narafala evidence late Kaluaat Thomas hemi pikinini blong Thomas wetem Toufau, Thomas hemi pikinini blong Nmak Kalomtak wetem Toupong wiwi, Nmak Kalomtak hemi Pikinini blong Big Jif Nmak Kalsaur. Sapos yutekem claim se hemi stap wetem Thomas hemi mean se igat four bladline generesen hemi link iko bak long Big Jif Nmak.

CASE BLONG JOHN KALUAAT – COUNTER CLAIMANT 5B

John Kaluaat hemi bigfala brata blong Pakotong Kaluaat (CC5A) mo long start blong case ia hemi bin sabmitim wan applikesen blong stopem this Kot blong harem Original Claimants claim long land case ia long graons se ibin gat wan Judgement finis, Judgment 44 blong Joint Court of New Hebrides long 1907 weh hemi talem se graon ia hemi blong Jif Onal mo narafala natives blong Erakor, mo hem John Kaluaat hemi grandson blong Jif Kalomtak brata blong Jif Onal.

Kot hemi no akseptem appikesen ia from hemi bin lodged by wan Lawyer weh anda Island Courts Act Cap.167, section 27 hemi talem no legal practitioner shall be entitled to take part in the proceedings of an Island Court meaning hemi no allow blong olgeta lawyer oli takem part long Island Kot cases.

But Kot hemi bin rule se John bae hemi save admitted olsem wan party blong save presentem case blong hem long Kot ia as counter claimant 5B mo blong allowem Original Claimant wetem narafala Counter Claimants blong oli save askem questions long hem especially in relation to Judgement 44.

BASIS BLONG CLAIM.

-Claim blong onaship blong graon ia hemi start wetem big Jif Onal.

-Claimant ia hemi wan decendants blong Jif Onal.

-Hemi base long wan Judgment weh hemi bin made finis long graon ia sins 1907 mo ol kastom onas long taem ia hemi great, great pupu blong hem.

PRESENTESEN BLONG CLAIM.

Claimant ia hemi tekem different approach long case blong hem.Hemi basem claim blong hem olsem great, great pupu blong Jif Kalomtak weh hemi stret brata blong Jif Onal mo Jim we oli natatok blong gaon ia.Hemi also claim long line blong Jif Onal wetem Jim olsem wan descendants blong olgeta mo sins Judgment hemi mekem reference long Jif Onal mo Jim, long hem hemi clear se graon ia hemi blong great, great pupu blong hem.

EVIDENCES.

Main evidence blong hem emi Judgment 44 blong Joint Court of the New Hebrides weh John hemi talem se Judgment ia hemi refer long wan graon long Erakor, application namba 10 we oli givim name olsem "portion 8-Efate" se same graon ia nao hemi stap anda dispute.Hemi talem se follem judgment 44 ia hemi showem clear se Jif Onal mo Jim nao tufala igivim graon ia long Willaim Frazer long 1871. Evidence ia hemi marked annex "A".

Long wan narafala evidence blong hem, emi presentem wan Deed of Sale dated 1913 we hemi showem aot se Jif Onal nao hemi ona blong graon ia we hemi semark graon we istap long dispute tedei. Evidence ia hemi marked "B". Hemi also presentem wan kastom ona form weh Jif blong Erakor oli appruvum se hem nao hemi ona long graon ia wetem lease long graon ia olsem Annex "C". Igat sam narafala evidences weh hemi more to do wetem appointments by Jif blong Erakor mo givim rait long family Nmak long hem.

John hemi bin go long witness stand long case blong hem wan. Kot hemi bin notem thru cross examination by Timteo, Spokesman blong Original Claimant, taem hemi askem kwesten long hem se why nao name blong Jif Onal ino bin stap bifo long case blong Efate Island Court long 2002, mo John hemi ansa se from case ia hemi new case. Long narafala kwesten se sapos John hemi bin ususm nem ia Onal long case blong Eleo land case mo John emi ansa se hemi case blong hem. Follem wan nara kwesten Timteo hemi askem hem se long Act of Sale blong November 1871, hemi no wan typing error mo hemi ansa se no, however Timteo hemi bin pointem aot se long hand written Judgment name weh hemi stap long hem emi Jif Pomal. Clearly ibin gat doubt long existens blong Jif Onal from either hemi no bin mentioned bifo or sapos ikat reference but anda different land claim.

FAMILY TREES.

Kot hemi notem se long Family tree weh John hemi produsim long Kot hemi putum se Jif Onal hemi brata blong Jif Kalomtak wetem Jim, also Jif Onal ia hemi nogat eni descendants whereas Kalomtak nao olgeta descendants blong hem oli planti long Erakor tedei.

Kot hemi findem se John hemi the only one weh hemi produsim wan different family tree blong Original Claimant taem hemi putum se Bese wan sista blong Jif Kalomtak wetem Jif Onal hemi gat wan nara de facto husband blong hem, name blong hem emi John Meren blong Banks Island. Pikinini blong Bese wetem John Meren hemi Kalmet. Kalmet wetem wife blong hem Leitare, tufala ibornem Charlie wetem Tom. Charlie Kalmet pikinini blong hem emi Timteo Kalmet mo Tom Kalmet pikinini blong hem nao hemi Jean Kalmet.

CASE BLONG TOM KIAME, KALORIB DAVID AND PASTOR FALU TOUKOUNE – COUNTERCLAIMANT NAMBA 6

BASIS BLONG CLAIM.

-Graon oli givim olsem Napumas.
-Fes work long graon ia sins 1960's ikam.

PRESENTESEN BLONG CLAIM.

Spokesman blong Tom Kiame hemi Kenedy Kaltapau Koriman. Bifo hemi presentem case blong parties ia hemi mekem wan oral applikesen blong bae hemi withdrawem namba 3 witness blong hem, Pastor Falu Toukone from bae hemi attendem Presbyterian Church assembly long Aniwa Island so bae hemi no possible blong bae hemi stap. Kot hemi bin grantem applikesen ia follem reasons weh hemi bin explainem.

Taem hemi presentem case blong Tom Kiame, hemi talem se Tom Kiame hemi gat 83 yias old naoia mo hemi olfala finis but taem hemi mekem counterclaim blong hem long March 2003 taem ia hemi gat 74 yias old.

Hemi claim onaship long graon ia se hemi blong mama blong hem Melian.Melian hemi pikinini blong Totem mo Limok. Totem nao hemi givim long Mama blong hem olsem Napumas.Hemi talem aot tu se stret name blong graon ia hemi Emorkur be ino Elaknakur olsem Jean Kalmet iputum istap long map.

Hemi also talem se same graon ia nao Oken David igat narasaed long main rod thru long mama blong hem Tourango weh hem tu, emi pikinini blong Totem mo Limok. Olgeta graon ia hemi blong Apu Tangraro mo Ati Surimal, papa mo mama blong Totem. Long rait saed blong rod iko long Club Hippique hemi blong family Taio Toukone weh oli family line blong Toumal weh hemi sista blong Totem.

Hemi also talem se taem hem (Tom Kiame) hemi smol yet long Erakor island olgeta istap pull long kenu ikam mekem Karen long Emorkur wetem papa mo mama blong hem.

EVIDENCES.

Fes witness hemi Kalorib David, hemi gat 54 yias old mo hemi bin mekem wan short statement blong konfirmem nomo se graon blong olgeta hemi stap long Emokur, Emataruarof mo Esake. Graon ia hemi gat thru long mama blong hem Tourango weh hemi pikinini blong Apu Totem mo Ati Limok. Apu Totem nao igivim graon ia long mama blong hem Tourango.Graon ia hemi stret graon blong Apu Tangraro mo Ati Surimal weh hemi papa mo mama blong Totem.

Hemi konfirmem bagegen wanem Tom Kiame hemi putum long statement blong hem se sem graon ia nao Tom Kiame hemi gat long narasaid rod thru mama blong hem Melian. Melian wetem Tourango tufala isistas.

Long cross examination bae Timteo Kalmet, spokesman blong Original Claimant hemi bin traem blong raisem long kot wan issue about hao nao Kalorib David hemi kam insaid long case ia.

Fes issue hemi whu hemi pem Kot fees long 2003 mo witness hemi ansa se Oken David bifo hemi dead but hemi se Oken David wetem hem tufala sakem mane blong pem fee but kot hemi notem se name blong Oken David hemi nomo stap long claim ia.

Narafala issue hemi fes born brata blong hem, nem blong hem Kaltaupa weh hemi life yet but nomo hemi stap long wheel jea mo taem Timteo hemi bin askem hem se whu hemi gat moa rait blong claim, witness hemi bin ansa se fes born brata but hemi stap long wheel jea. Spokesman hemi bin also raisem issue se ino bin gat wan letter blong givim authority ikam from Kaltapau David. Witness hemi bin talem se hemi bin talem toktok nomo. Kot hemi notem se witness ia hemi bin mekem sam leases finis long graon blong hem weh hemi fas wetem lease blong John Kaluaat.

Long said blong Baontri blong graon, long map weh istap long sabmissen blong hem emi stap long white colour, Kot hemi notem se name weh oli putum long hem emi Oken David.

Long said blong family tree blong witness ia hemi start wetem Tafra-Kun ikam long Kaskun ikam long Salsal ikam long Limok ikam long Mama blong hem Tourango Totem mo hem Kalorib David hemi second last born pikinini blong Tourango wetem David.Original Claimant hemi bin pointem aot long Kot se family tree blong witness ia hemi no komplit. Kot hemi tekem note long ples ia.

Nambatu witness hemi son blongTom Kiame, Simane Tom mo hem tu hemi mekem short statement nomo mo hemi ripitim nomo wanem istap long Presentesen toktok antap.

Graon ia hemi gat rait long hem thru mama blong hem Melian, weh hemi pikinini blong Totem mo Limok. Totem nao hemi givim long Mama blong hem olsem Pumas.

Graon hemi blong Apu Tangrarao mo Ati Surimal. Graon ia oli stap work mo kakai long hem taem olgeta oli smol kasem tedei weh hemi kam olfala. Long 1987 afta tropical cyclone Uma, hemi bin kam mekem haos blong hem long graon ia mo stap live long hem kasem tedei. Hemi also talem se few yia ipass hemi bin givim smol pis graon blong hem iko long Erakor Presbyterian Church blong oli mekem Church haos long hem mo oli openem new church haos ia long September 2002.

Long cross examination, Timteo Kalmet hemi kwestenem planti nao family tree blong witness ia long origin blong Tangraro mo Surimal se tufala iblong wea but witness hemi ansa se hemi no save. Also family tree blong hem hemi no showem eni narafala bratas or sistas but taem Timteo hemi kwestenem se Mama blong hem Melian igat brata mo sistas hemi talem yes. Kot hemi notem long Family tree blong Original Claimant se hemi gat I brata (Kalorib) mo 3 sistas (Tourango, Anna mo Evelyne).

Kot hemi fainem se witness ia hemi bin talem aot taem Timteo hemi bin kwestenem hem se Totem hemi karem graon long whu, mo hemi ansa se Nmak Kalsaur. Hemi talem aot se claim blong hem long Emorkur nomo mo follem wan nara kwesten sapos Apu Kalsaur nao hemi givim graon long Melian hemi agri wetem Timteo se Apu Kalsaur nao hemi givim long Melian, mama blong hem. Witness ia hemi contradictem hemi wan long case ia mo hemi no wan reliable witness.

Kot hemi fainem se CC#6 Tom Kiame, hemi narafala claimant weh hemi talem se pupu blong Jean Kalmet hemi John Meren blong Banks olsem istap long annex 4 long sabmissen book blong hem. But taem Original Claimant hemi bin presentem case blong hem emi bin talem se Apu Kalmet nao hemi tekem Tom String blong Maewo ikam long Erakor long early 1900's.Tom String ia nao hemi papa blong Kiame Tom. Hemi luk olsem ol pikinini blong Tom String oli no wantem save long history ia.

BAONDTRI BLONG GRAON.

Baondtri blong Tom Kiame hemi stap long yellow colour long map weh oli givim ikam long Kot long taem blong field visit, Kalorib David baondtri claim blong hem istap long green colour mo Ps Falu Toukone hemi stap long pink colour but Kot hemi no bin visitim from hemi aotside boundtri weh hemi bin claimed by Original Claimant.

CASE BLONG JOHNATHAN KALRONGO – COUNTER CLAIMANT NAMBA 7.
BASIS BLONG CLAIM.

- Hemi basem claim start long big Jif Nmak Apisai(Pomal)

- Hemi claim thru bladlaen desendants blong big Jif

- Hemi also base long family tree weh hemi link wetem nara big Jifs long South Efate.

PRESENTESEN BLONG CLAIM.

Claimant ia Spokesman blong hem igat two, taem case hemi start igat Bill Kalpoi Kalsrap mo nara taem igat Charles Carlot. Taem oli bin presentem claim blong Johnathan oli bin startem long statement blong hem se hemi mekem long nem blong Family Kalmari. Hemi talem se Johnathan Kalrongo, hemi first born boy blong Kalkot pikinini blong Jif Kalmari blong Erakor mo Serei, pikinini girl blong Jif Nmak Apisai(Pomal).

Hemi talem se olgeta oli blad laen generesen blong tufala hae Jifs blong South Efate, wan hemi Jif Nmak Apisai(Pomal) blong nasara blong Bouffa, mo narawan hemi Jif Koriman Kalkau blong nasara blong Erkaso or Erkao weh hemi papa blong Jif Kalmari.

Hemi talem se follem movement blong ol generesen blong olgeta,Jif Nmak Apisai(Pomal) blong Bouffa nao oli bin muvum ol pipol blong hem ikam daon long Losike, moa afta oli muv bagegen wetem Sualo blong Samoa, blong putum fes Christian village long Ekasufat.Long ples ia nao oli risivim fes missionary long 1845.

EVIDENCES.

Igat wan witness nomo long case ia mo hemi Kalrongo Kalmari, hemi gat 58 yia. Long toktok blong hem, hemi base planti nao long family tree blong hem weh iko olsem; Jif Nmak Apisai (Pomal) mo woman blong hem Litong hemi blong Bouffa mo tufala ikat wan gel nomo mo nem blong hem Serei. Serei emi wife blong Kalkot mo tufala igat two boys Johnathan Kalrongo wetem brata blonghem Sualo mo four sistas; Sien, Likal Toufabun, Litong mo Toumer. Johnathan Kalrongo hemi maretem Lisok Adamin mo tufala ikat Andre wetem three sista blong hem Sien, Moli mo Bela. Andre hemi maretem Maria mo tufala igat three pikinini; Henri Kalmari, Onel Russel mo Faina.Henri Kalmari hemi maretem Toutuel mo tufala ia oli Papa mo Mama blong Kalrongo Kalmari.

Long last paragraph long statement blong hem, emi talem se Jif Nmak Apisai (Pomal) nao hemi ownem Bouffa mo ol graon kasem land eria Nslar mo Ernas.

Long taem blong cross examination every spokesman oli bin askem fulap kwestens about background blong Jif Nmak Apisai but witness hemi stanap strong se hemi aot long Bouffa mo hemi kam stap live long Ekasuvat. Narfala Issue hemi sapos Jif Nmak Apisai nao hemi tekem ol samoans or tekem ol fes missionaries ikam long Erakor, Kot hemi notem se hemia history blong claimant ia but Kot hemi interest nomo long said blong graon. Konsernem graon long wan kwesten blong Timteo Kalmet hemi bin askem hem wea ples blong yu insaid long disputed boundry insaid long map mo hemi ansa se Ekoftau.Hemi talem aot se hemi claimem full baondtri semak olsem Original claimant. Long nara kwesten blong Timteo hemi bin askem se Erkao hemi stap wea, hemi ansa se Rentabao so Timteo hemi askem bagegen se Koriman hemi blong Rentabao mo hemi ansa Yes, same mark long Kalmari hem tu hemi blong Rantabao.

OL NARAFALA EVIDENCES.

Hemi bin sabmitim wan family tree mo extract blong wan deed of sale dated 7 November 1905. Handwritten document ia hemi stap long franis lanwis but hemi bin givim bislama translation blong hem mo hemi showem se grandfather blong hem Kalrongo blong Erakor hem nao hemi bin certifyem graon blong Losikie weh istap bitwin Teouma mo graon blong French mission. Oli namem baondtri blong graon weh French mission mo Monsieur Larguarei istap long hem mo se everi graon ia French company hemi pem aot.Lastly hemi bin produsim wan more bigfala family tree weh hemi tekem ova three full size paper but copy weh Kot hemi risivim hemi no clear mo emi hard blong ridim.

BAONDTRI BLONG CLAIM BLONG HEM.

Claimant ia hemi no bin prudusim wan land boundtri map long Kot, but taem blong field visit hemi usum same map weh Original Claimant hemi produsim wetem same points A kasem E, se hemi claimem same boandtri blong graon olsem Original Claimant.

FIELD VISIT.

Hemia long summary olgeta places weh Kot hemi bin visitim wetem each parties.

Long Erakor Island; every parties oli bin stap wetem Kot mo oli bin visitim ol paces ia;

- Graves blong trifala sons blong Rev.Mackenzie igat Joseph, Arthur mo Walter. Nara grave hemi blong fes wife blong Rev.Mackenzie Amanda Bruce.

- Remains blong original Missionary house blong Rev. Mackenzie weh oli bildim long 1873. Afta oli muvumaot pipol long Engis village ikam across long Eraniao aeland.

- Ples weh haos blong Jif Samuel hemi bin stap long hem bifo, Kot hemi witnessem wan photo weh hemi matchem spot weh haos ia ibin stap long hem bifo mo afta bigfala cyclone hemi tekem aot.

- Ol monument Stone. Kot hemi bin witnessem se igat three stones one big wan weh igat wan plaque long hem mo hemi clear se ol pipol blong Erakor oli bin erectem blong memory blong olgeta four Samoan Evangelists. Igat two smaller monuments wetem cross antap long hem mo kot hemi bin witnessem se one hemi representem olgeta samoan evangelist mo nara wan hemi representem olgeta evangelists blong Erakor weh oli go aot wetem gospel thruaot New Hebrides bifo according long Jack Kallon witness blong CC#1 but Original Claimant hemi se one blong olgeta grave ia hemi blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur follem statement blong hem.

Walkabaot wetem original claimant.

Hemia olgeta places Kot hemi bin visitim wetem Original Claimant. Hemi bin markem gud olgeta bondtri points blong hem wetem spray paint.

-Point A, long map blong hem wan point daon long second lagoon weh oli markem wetem GPS reading.

-Point B, hemi follem wan straight line weh oli markem long fence post long Ekoftau.

-Point C, hemi wan narafala paint mark long fence post, klosap Lauto's sub divisen.

-Point D, hemi stap long wan Nakoka (Redwood tree)long Ernas eria.

-Point E, hemi stap long pasis blong Emetaruarof daon long solwota.

Walkabaot wetem counter claimant No.1

- Start blong Boandtri blong hem hemi limit wetem Harrison Kalmet afta ko long wan oldfala well weh naoia oli berem finis but Kot hemi bin vistim wan narafal well weh Joe Ben, small brata long Robatit hemi bin mekem.
- Showemaot limit bitwin hem mo Jack Kallon, mo ol kokonas tree weh papa blong hem iplantem.
- Lukim limit blong baondtri bitwin hem mo CC#4, long wan stampa Avoka tree.
- Lukim limit blong area blong Elaksukrik wan igat fenis insaid long hem, Jif Matai hemi bin plantem coconuts, breadfruits, navel long ples ia.
- Follem line blong olgeta kokonas tree iko daon long Sabby Natongas haos. Ol olfala Burau tree weh hemi olfala boandtri marks istap.
- Lukim beginning blong baontri weh oli markem long olfala survey peg but hemi destroyed, insaid olgeta natongtong.
- Lukim remains blong aelan ia Naur ni Kusu, weh naoia wan stampa blong oak tree nomo istap klosap bridge blong Erakor.
- Lukim graves blong Family Kalmasei long Nslaar.Igat blong Ben Kalmasei, smol baby blong Marie Ben, Rutha Ben mo Wesley Ben.
- Afta folem solwota iko bak ifas long Baondtri blong Harrison Kalmet.

Walkabaot wetem counter claimant No.2

- Baondtri blong claimant ia Starting point blong hem, hemi entrance blong ko insaid long Ntaf Ni Paror we hemi stap klosap nomo long main rod, mo hemi limit wetem CC#1, Robatit Ben.
- Follem hill iko antap kasem wan smol nambanga tree mo ko stret i kasem solwora.
- Follem solwora ikam bak Elaknapuktau passem olgeta swamp eria mo kam bak long main rod.
- Follem main rod iko bak long starting point long Ntaf Ni Paror.

Walkabaot wetem counter claimant No.3

- Boandtri blong graon ia hemi start long main road klosap Enam Church mo follem rod iko kasem wan stampa Nambanga tree.
- Follem iko kasem stampa blong Namalaus tree, bee hive ibin stap long hem bifo taem tree laef yet.
- mo tanem iko tuwods direksem blong Erakor Bridge ikam kasem wan Melek tree klosap ded Naboga tree.
- mo follem stret line iko bak tuwods main rod kasem Namalaus tree iko long ol nalalas flaoa.
- mo follem main rod iko bak long starting point.

Walkabaot wetem counter claimant No.4

- Baondtri hemi start long Stampa blong Avocka tree (same tree wetem CC#1) weh hemi limit wetem Robatit Ben wetem hem.
- Hemi follem Baondtri blong Esake mo follem baondtri weh hemi limitim hem wetem CC#3 ikam fas long baontri blong Harry Erikan mo Tom Kiame kasem wan stampa namalaus tree, weh bee hive hemi bin stap long hem bifo taem tree ia hem laef yet.
- Kot hemi lukim sam long olgeta kokonas weh Jif Samuel Kaltong hemi plantem weh oli olfala finis long eria blong Elak Naulwaki.
- Follem iko kasemEkoftau bitim line blong Natangura trees follem iko bak long Elaksurkrip.
- Mo follem iko bak long stampa avocka tree weh hemi starting point.

Walkabaot wetem counter claimant No.5A

- Baondtri hemi start lo solwota long stampa blong Breadfruit tree weh hemi limit wetem Leon Lalie.
- Mo iko stret daon long solwora long Emetauruarof.
- Follem solwota ikam kasem Elaknapukatau ikam antap kasem post light long main rod.
- Follem main rod tuwods Erakor iko bak long direction blong wan Nantau Tree limit wetem Leon Lalie.
- Iko bak tuwods Glue tree mo ko join bagegen wetem breadfruit tree weh hemi start blong baondtri ia.

Kot hemi notem se baondtri blong CC#5A, hemi divided bitwin Pakotong Kaluaat wetem Leon Lalie, witness blong hem. Baondtri blong Leon Lalie hemi ko olsem;

- Hemi start long klosap main rod follem fanis blong Kalorib David ikam kasem klosap Point D.
- Mo follem stret line iko daon tuwods Emetaruarof but hemi stop long limit wetem Pakotong.
- Follem baontri blong Pakotong iko bak tuwods main rod long wan Nantau tree.
- Kot hemi notem tu se part blong graon ia Ernas istap aotside long claim blong Leon lalie (weh hemi stap long green stripe colour) but Kot ia bae hemi base nomo long baondtri weh Original Claimant hem lodgem long Kot ia. Igat smol overlap tu blong Pakotong weh hemi stap aotside. mining stampa breadfruit weh hemi mark blong hem wetem Leon lalie hemi stap aotside boadtri claim.

Kot hemi konfirmem tu se Kalosik Aloa weh hemi joinem Pakotong Kaluaat wetem Leon Lalie olsem joint Parties long case ia, Kot hemi bin visitim Graon blong hem but bae hemi no mekem eni ruling long hem from bagegen claim blong hem emi aotside long boandtri weh Original Claimant hemi lodgem wetem Kot ia.

Walkabaout wetem counter claimant NO.5B

- Baondtri blong John Kaluaat hemi same boandtri nomo olsem blong brata blong hem Pakotong except hemi limitim hem around long fanis blong Kalorip David.( refer baondtri CC#5A antap)
- Mo tu hem hemi claim overlap graon blong Leon Lalie wetem smol brata blong Pakotong weh olsem Kot hemi talem finis tufala pis graon ia hemi aotside long baondtri claim blong Original Claimant.

Walkabaot wetem counter claimant No.6

- Baondtri blong Tom Kiame hemi stap long yellow colour long map, hemi start long rod long Enam mo hemi limit wetem Harry Erikan.
- Follem iko kasem wan stampa Nantau tree.
- Mo crossem ikam bak long klosap kona rod blong point C weh stampa blong roten wood istap long hem weh hemi limit wetem Speter Reuben.
- Mo follem rod ikam bak tuwods main road mo narasiad long hem hemi limit wetem Ps. Valu Toukone ikasem main rod begegen.
- Mo iko back long starting point long Enam.

Walkabaot wetem counter claimant No. 7

- Baondtri blong Johnathan Kalrongo hemi same Boundtri nomo weh Original Claimant hemi base long hem. Hemi pointem aot nomo olgeta same points long Kot.
- Case blong hem emi wan exception from hemi base long wan different Jif Nmak mo hemi bin go live aotside long disputed baondtri long case ia long eria blong Ekasuvat
- So Kot hemi givim leave long claimant ia blong ko showem ples blong Big Jif Nmak Apisai long old villej settlemen blong Ekasuvat follem Statement blong hem long Kot.
- Mo also hemi bin showem Grave blong Jif Apisai.
- Mo tu remains blong olfala Chapel long Ekasuvat.

Visit blong Kot iko long Erakor burial site, every parties oli stap except original claimant.

Purpose blong visit ia hemi blong konfirmem nomo graves blong olgeta olfala Jifs weh oli bin rule as Jifs blong Erakor start long 1800's ikam follem sabmissens blong olgeta parties. Planti long olgeta information weh ibin ikam aot during Kot hearing hemi confusing but afta visit ia long Erakor grave site Kot hemi karem confirmation long ol grave sites ia mo hemi satisfy long hem.

Kot hemi decide se bae hemi reservem findings blong hem long matta ia, follem sensitive nature blong Jifly taetol dispute weh hemi ongoing naoia but instead bae hemi rule nomo long land case weh istap long fored blong hem.

FINDINGS BLONG KOT.

Efate Island Kot hemi bin sidaon ova three weeks long case ia. Afta careful analysis blong each parties claims Kot ia hemi bin harem evidences ikam from 7 parties wetem 16 witnesses blong olgeta. Kot hemi notem olketa particularities blong land case ia se:

1. Majority blong Parties oli related to each other;
2. No matta olgeta parties oli no luksave olgeta but family trees blong olgeta nomo hemi showem aot clear se oli related;
3. Three long olgeta families ia stampa blong olgeta istart long Bouffa hemia Nmak Kalsaur, Apiu wetem Nmak Apisai;
4. Land dispute ia hemi indirectly related long raorao blong Jiffly title dispute blong Jif Nmak blong Erakor;
5. Olketa graon ia hemi stap under development olsem residential lease blong olgeta investors or under control blong sam long olgeta parties ia olsem perpetual leases;
6. Olketa basis blong claim long graon ia hemi involvem kastomari raits blong land tenure follem kastom blong South Efate.
   

Issue blong Perjury;

Kot ia hemi refer long fes toktok blong Original Claimant, taem hemi bin stap talem aot long Kot ia se case blong Original Claimants wetem olgeta Family trees mo Geneaology long Efate Island Kot case blong 2002 hemi wan closed case finis mo eni attempt blong jenisim hemi wan contempt of court.
Wanem hemi meanim, hemi sapos eni parties, spokesman or witness weh hemi bin part blong Island Kot case long 2002 or eni related appeal cases afta, hemi mas save se hemi bin tajem bible, talem out oath mo talem wan toktok finis long taem ia.

Sapos eni wan long olgeta concern pipol ia oli traem blong jenisim storian, family trees or Geneolgy ia long this case (Nslar-Ernara land) bae hemi save pass long Kot from hemi wan offence blong Perjury. Perjury hemi taem wan man hemi deliberately givim kiaman evidence whilst hemi anda oath.

Kot ia hemi bin findem se igat sam clear evidences blong perjury hemi happen long case ia but bae istap long party concern sapos hemi wantem tekem up, however Kot ia bae hemi wantem respectem everi parties mo bae hemi kivim jadgement blong hem, long olgeta graon nomo insaid long Nslar- Ernas baondtri.

Grouping blong Parties.

Hemia findings blong Kot based long claim blong bladlaen descendants. Igat four separate family bladlaens – Jif Nmak Kalsaur, Apu Apiu, Apu Tangraro mo Jif Nmak Apisai.

Olgeta Bladlaen descendant's blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur igat;

- Original claimant, hemi man bladlaen blong Kalmetabil, pikinini blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur.
- Counterclaimant 1, hemi man bladlaen blong Kalomtak, pikinini blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur.
- Counter claimant 2, hemi man bladlean blong Kalmetabil, piknini blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur.
- Counterclaimant 3, hemi woman bladlaen blong Kalomtak, pikinini blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur.
- Counter claimant 5A, hemi man bladlaen blong Kalomtak, pikinini blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur.
- Counter claimant 5B, hemi man Bladlaen blong Kalomtak, pikinini blong Jif Nmak Kalsaurr but hemi claim anda Jif Onal.

Bladlaen descendant blong Apu Apiu;

- Counterclaimant 4, hemi woman bladline blong Touran, pikinini blong Apu Apiu.

Bladlaen descendant blong Apu Tangraro;

- Counterclaimant 6, hemi woman bladlaen blong Totem, pikinini blong Apu Tangraro.

Bladlaen descendant blong Jif Nmak Apisai;

- Counterclaimant 7, hemi man bladlaen thru Serei only pikinini girl blong Jif Apisai.

KASTOMARY LAND TENURE PRACTICES.

Kot hemi findem se igat four long olgeta parties ia oli claimem onship blong graon follem NAPUMAS or Kastom Will. Olgeta ia igat;

- CC1, hemi talem se Jif Tata igivim olsem Nasautong.( but probably means Napumas)
- CC3, hemi talem se Uncle Kalmasei Thomas emi givim olsem Napumas.
- CC4, hemi talem se Ati Touran igivim olsem Napumas.
- CC6, hemi talem se Totem igivim olsem Napumas.

STANDARD BLONG PROVE.

Kot ia hemi usum standard blong prove based long probability blong each case wether oli qualified under bladlaen descendants or eni nara kastom practices blong kastomari land tenure long area blong case ia, South Efate or even Efate as awhole.

Kot ia hemi gat dutyblong applaem kastom olsem basis blong onaship blong kastomari land raits follem Articles 73, 74 mo 75 long Constitution blong Republic blong Vanuatu.Hemi also applaem Island Court Act, Cap 167 civil procedure rules, section 8

DEKLERESEN BLONG KOT.

Kot hemi deklerem se Jif Nmak Kalsaur nao hemi indigenous kastom ona blong full baondtri weh Nslar mo Esnar istap insaid. Olgeta direct bladlaen descendants blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur oli also bikam kastom onas long olgeta graon blong olgeta. Olgeta graon ia hemi ko olsem.

Original Claimant – hemi wan direct bladlaen descendant blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur mo Kot hemi deklerem hem kastom ona long graon ia shaded long Orange colour weh hemi kam limit aotsidelong title 414 (A) wetem title 404 but title 408 hemi stap inside follem baondtri weh Kot ibin walkabout long hem.

Counterclaimant 1- hemi wan direct bladlaen descendant blong Jif Nmak Kasaur mo Kot hemi deklerem hem kastom ona blong graon ia shaded long Yellow colour weh hemi limit inside long titles 414 (B), 414 (A), 404, 402 mo 415 follem baondtri blong hem weh Kot hemi bin walkabout long hem.

Counter claimant 2- hemi wan direct bladlaen descendant blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur mo Kot hemi deklerem hem kastom ona blong graon ia shaded long Purple colour follem baondtri blong hem weh Kot hemi bin walkabout long hem.

Counterclaimant 3 – hemi wan direct bladlean descendant blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur mo Kot hemi deklerem hem kastom ona blong graon ia shaded long Blue colour follem baondtri blong hem weh Kot hemi bin walkabout long hem.

Counterclaimant 5A- hemi wan direct bladlaen desendant blong Jif Nmak Kalsarur mo Kot hemi dekerem hem kastom ona blong graon ia shaded long stripe green colour follem baondtri blong hem weh Kot hemi bin walkabout long hem but bae hemi givim smol piece graon shaded long green colour long witness blong hem Leon Lalie, weh hemi also wan bladlean descendant blong Nmak Kalsaur follem agriment blong tufala.

Counter claimant 5B-Claim blong hem anda Jif Onal hemi fail. However olsem wan bladlaen descendant blong Jif Nmak Kalsaur hemi gat rait long sam graon insaid long graon weh hemi shaded long stripe green colour follem walkabaout blong kot long graon ia but bae hemi mas gat agriment wetem brata blong hem, Pakotong Kaluaat.

RAITS BLONG KASTOMARY LAND TENURE.

Olgeta narafala parties oli gat olgeta following raits ia.

Counter claimant 4 – Kot hemi deklerem se hemi gat rait blong continue usum graon ia shaded long pink colour follem baondtri blong hem weh Kot hemi bin walkabout long hem, follem practice blong kastomari land tenure system.

Counter claimant 6- Kot hemi deklerem se hemi gat rait blong continue usum graon ia follem shaded long yellow colour follem baondtri blong hem weh Kot hemi bin walkabout long hem, follem practice blong kastomari land tenure system.

Counter claimant 7- Claim blong hem hemi anda Jif Nmak Apisai hemi fail. Kot hem deklerem se sapos hemi gat eni smol pis graon weh hemi stap work long hem insaid baondtri blong Nslar-Esnars, bae hemi need blong renegotiatem wetem olgeta bladlaen descendants blong Nmak Kalsaur.

Blong better management blong olgeta graon insaid Nslar-Esnars, Kot hemi stap rekommendem se everi bladlaen descendant blong big Jif Nmak Kalsaur weh oli part long land case ia oli shud ko tugeta mo setemap wan company or trust blong benefitim olgeta everiwan.

Anyone weh hemi no happy long decision we Kot ia imekem hemi gat rait blong mekem appeal anda long section 20 blong Island Court Act within long 30 days.

Judgment ia Island Kot hemi mekem long Wednesday 3rd July 2013.

SENIOR MAGISTRATE NESBETH WILSON Presiding Magistrate	CHIEF JIMMY MEAMEADOLA Justice
CHIEF JOSHUA HARRY Justice	FRANK DANIEL Justice