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\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8990933 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5243500 of Rarotonga,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8990933  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 Self employed
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\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 of New Zealand}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5243500 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8990933  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15816703 
landowner}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667 
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\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 Barker JA (Presiding) }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667 
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\par Paterson JA}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
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\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 Mr M}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15816703 cFadzien for Intended Appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15816703 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 Mrs T}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15816703  Browne for Intended Respondent}{
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\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15816703 24 November 2008}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13520681 Date of Judg}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 ment: 28 November 2008}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
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\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
On 1 December 2006, this Court (Fisher, Paterson, Weston JJA) allowed an appeal brought by Metuangaro Vaeteru (the Intended Respondent) against a judgment of Smith J given on 7 September 2006 in the Land Division of the High Court.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 Ngametua Emi (the Intended Appellant) was the respondent in that appeal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 

\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 2.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
Smith J had dismissed the Intended Respondent's application to occupy a certain 680 square metre piece of land on which a cottage is built. She had asked this Court to confer on her an exclusive right to
 occupy about one-sixth of the property. This Court allowed the appeal and ordered a rehearing in the Land Division of the High Court on a stipulated basis. The Court noted that the Intended Appellant might possibly be a party to the rehearing in the High
 Court as a possible direct descendant of Ringiao to whom }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 an occupation or residential right}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950  had been granted in 1907.
\par 
\par 3.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
At the conclusion of its judgment, the Court noted that the status of the Intended Appellant as a potential direct descendant of Rin
giao had not been argued before it. Smith J had held that as an adopted child, the Intended Appellant did not qualify as a direct descendant of Ringiao. This Court then said:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14361667 {\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid13520681 
There has been no cross-appeal challenging the Jud
ge's conclusion that as an adoptee the respondent does not qualify as a direct descendant of Ringiao. At least theoretically, there remains the possibility that the respondent may yet apply for leave to appeal against that conclusion out of time. We would
 not want this to be taken as encouragement to make such an application, or to indicate that any appeal which might follow would succeed. However it should not be}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13520681\charrsid13520681  }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid13520681 thought that this Court has considered, and supports, the }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8990933 Judge's decision on that topic.}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid13520681 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10553950 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 4.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
Despite the narrow opening of the appellate gateway recorded in the judgment, no application for leave to cross-appeal Smith J's judgment by the Intended Appellant was made until 11 October 2007. No affidavit was filed explaining any delay. Mr McFadzien 
quite frankly acknowledged in his submissions that the significance of the point mentioned by the Court had not been appreciated by him as counsel when the appeal had been heard in December 2006. That was why no cross-appeal had been filed. Whilst we acce
p
t that frank admission of error as a reason for a cross-appeal not having been brought, there still is no explanation of why ten months elapsed from the time when the Court had given the indication quoted above until the application for special leave was 
filed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 5.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
The Intended Appellant now applies under Article 60(3) of the Constitution to cross-appeal against Smith J's judgment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
Counsel submits that despite the delay, leave should be given in the public}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13520681  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 interest. The argument is that Smith J was demonstr
ably wrong in revoking a 1984 succession order which had accepted the Intended Appellant as an adopted child for purposes of succession to land. There are many adopted children in the Cook Islands and any decision could have wide effect.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13520681\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 6.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
Smith J in a rather truncated judgment, had held that an adopted child was not a 'direct descendant.' Counsel submitted that this finding was at odds with the commonly-understood legal position regarding the succession of adopted children to land, i.e. an
 
adopted child did not automatically upon adoption succeed to succession rights. However, adopted children could succeed to land with the approval of other adoptive siblings i.e. the natural children. The Intended Respondent who is the adoptive sister of t
he Intended Appellant is said to have so consented to the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13520681 order made in 1984 which Smith J}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950  revoked.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 7.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
Counsel for the intended Appellant further submitted that the granting of leave would not prejudice the Intended Respondent who lives in New Zealand. The Intended Appellant had lived in the cottage for many years and was renovating it.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 8.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
Counsel for the Intended Respondent submitted that the 1907 order was quite explicit in that it referred to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 descendants}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950  of a named person. She referred to Section 465 
of the Cook Islands Act 1945 ('the Act') which provides that an order of adoption should have effect in respect of succession according to native custom. Section 446 of the Act also applied and provides that succession be determined by native custom.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 9.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 S
uccession to the occupation right was determined in 1907. According to counsel the right was gi}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281 ven only to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281 direct descendants}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
 of the grantee with an express reversion to the landowner if the grantee died without direct descendants. Hence, in}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
counsel's submission, Smith J was correct to characterise the Intended Appellant as not being a 'direct descendant.' The principles and cases referred to by counsel for Intended Appellant were therefore irrelevant.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 10.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 Counsel for the Intended Appellant had referred 
to the rights of adopted children summarised in t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281 he decision of this Court in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281\charrsid5533132 re:}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950  }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid15816703 Vaine N}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281\charrsid15816703 ooroa o Taratan}{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 g}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281\charrsid15816703 i }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281\charrsid8990933 Pauarii}{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281\charrsid8990933  (No.}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132\charrsid8990933 2)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132  (Judgment 28 October 1}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid15816703 985)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950  which adopted the discussion of the topic by Chief Judge Morgan in }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid15816703 re Moetaua}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid12215281  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 (MB 28/}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid15816703 156}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid12215281 )}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281 . See also }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281\charrsid15816703 Short v}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid15816703  Whittaker}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid12215281  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid15816703 (Court of Appeal 2 October 2003).
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 11.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 Thus it can be seen that the issue in this case}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281  is whether }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281 direct descendants}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950  can include an adopted child when an occupation order was made in favour of a named person and his 'direct d
escendants'. The ancillary question is whether the settled law about the succession rights of adopted children has any application where there}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15816703  has been an occupation right -}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950  not an ownership right}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215281 -}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 granted to 'direct descendants'. In the submission of Mrs Browne there was nothing 'special' to justify leave.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 12.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
Counsel for the Intended Respondent rightly drew our attention to the well-known authorities on the granting of leave to appeal under Article 60(3) of the Constitution such as }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid15816703 
Harmon}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2713342\charrsid15816703  v}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid15816703  Kikorio and Estall}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid2713342  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid15816703 (Roper CJ, 27 July 1989)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950  approved by this Court in }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid8990933 Rake Browne}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950  18 December 2002. In }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid5533132 
Rake Browne,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950  the delay in filing the leave application was a year, and, as in this case, as there was no affidavit explaining the delay. Counsel referred also to New
 Zealand case on the granting of leave out of time.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 13.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
We consider that leave should not be granted. There should have been a cross-appeal filed against Smith J's decision. One asks why, if the objection to the Judge's ruling about the rights of an}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9968967  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 adoptive child in this case had been so obviously wrong - a cross-appeal was not brought when the case was before this Court.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 

\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 14.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
There is an additional factor. In its earlier judgment, this Court had given a clear indication that a cross-appeal could be 
a possibility. One would have thought that the extract from the judgment quoted earlier would have been a clear signal to the Intended Appellant to file a prompt application for special leave under Article 60(3). There is no explanation for the ten-month 
delay.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 15.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
Although there may be an arguable point, about the right of an adopted child to be a 'direct descendant' we think in the peculiar circumstances of this case that the unexplained delay operates against the grant of special leave. Parties and coun
sel should realize that the normal time limits for the filing of appeals are to be followed and that the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 special leave}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5533132 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
 provision of the Constitution has the limitations imposed on it by the need for there to be an end to litigation. Successful parties sh
ould not to have to meet applications for special leave to appeal, made long after they are entitled to assume that the litigation has ended.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14361667\charrsid10553950 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 16.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950\charrsid10553950 
The application for special leave is dismissed with costs in favour of the Intended Respondent of $750.00 plus disbursements as fixed by the Registrar.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10553950 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9968967 {\b\caps\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9968967\charrsid8990933 Barker JA
\par Fisher JA
\par Paterson JA
\par }}