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An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

Enclosure. — Report of land purchase at taupo and bay of plenty

Enclosure.
Report of land purchase at taupo and bay of plenty.

Taupo, 14th July, 1873.

Sir,—

We have the honor to transmit for your information, a statement of our proceedings in the Arawa country, during the last week in June and the early part of the present month, on the subject of leasing and selling the surplus lands of the Natives to Government.

It may not be out of place to remark here that the tribes of Rotorua, Maketu, and other localities, have for years past been endeavouring to encourage European settlement, but in consequence of the repeated failures of the Native Lands Court, in relation to their titles, the continuous exertions of these tribes with respect to the utilization of their lands have hitherto ended only in vexatious disappointment. A general feeling of despondency therefore prevailed, occasioned by the non-settlement of the land question, which you will be glad to learn was almost everywhere dispelled when the purport of our mission became known; the Natives cordially invited us to hold conferences with them at their various settlements, the result of which was in every instance an expression of confidence in the means now devised, viz., of treating directly with the Government for their lands as being well calculated to solve the difficulties which stand in the way of an amicable termination to their land disputes.

It is not too much to say that, in a political point of view, the project now proposed of treating for the waste lands of the Rotorua and Taupo Districts is eminently important, as it will in the event of success, secure to the Government the command of a tract of country comprising several millions of acres through which our main arteries of communication of roads and telegraphs pass north and south, and the acquisition of which by sale and by lease, we may hopefully expect will cement the bond of union between the races, and tend very materially to establish our authority over a central belt of the North Island hithorto made the theatre only of various contending influences. The project too, morally and socially, will be of vital consequence to the Native owners of these lands, inasmuch as the settlement of the vexatious tribal boundary disputes will leave them free to devote their time and energies to help forward the work of education, initiate social reform, and increase their domestic comfort, while their yearly income derivable from rents should be so expended as to stimulate and encourage habits of Industry, and improve in various other ways the present low condition of these interesting tribes.

True, the claims are difficult of solution, heightened extremely by the tribal jealousies of long standing,—difficulties which for years past have not been surmounted by various tried agencies. Notwithstanding these and other impediments, which need not be named here, we consider that the present unostentatious mode of procedure, and patient personal shifting, on the ground, of the points in dispute will eventuate in the complete solution of these land entanglements and their settlement upon a satifactory basis.

Having made these explanatory remarks, we proceed to particularize our operations up to the present date. Our visits and meetings with the various sections of the Arawas took place in the following order:—
  • 1873—June 26, at Ohinemutu, meeting with the chiefs Ngahuruhuru, Pererika, and tribe.
  • " 27, at Parekarangi, meeting with Te Manihera and Ngatiwahiao tribe.
  • " 28, at Horo Horo, meeting with Te Honiani and Ngatituara tribe.
  • " 30, with Ngatiwhakaue, at Ohinemutu.
  • July 1, at Tarawera Lake, meeting with Te Kepa te Hurinui, and Tuhourangi tribe.
  • " 2, at Kaiteriria, meeting with Hohepa, Tiria, and Ngatitu tribe.
  • " 3, at Oahuru, Paeroa, meeting with Takerei and Ngatiwhaoa tribe.
  • " 4, at Mangakara, meeting with Ihaia and Ngatitahu tribe.
  • " 5, at Orakei Korake, meeting with Mateho, Te Tuiri, and Ngatitahu tribe.
  • " 7, at Oruanui, meeting with Hohepa Tamamutu and Ngatiterangiita tribe.
  • " 9, at Tapuwaeharuru, meeting with Poihipi Tukairangi and Ngatirauhoto tribe.
  • " 10, at Tapuwaeharuru, meeting with Paponui and Ngatiwairangi tribe.
  • " 11, at Tapuwaeharuru, meèting with Ihakara Ngatikikopiri tribe.
  • " 14, general meeting, Tauhara grantees and others.
page 372 We were everywhere well received, the Natives paying marked attention to the enunciation of the Government proposals. They expressed their entire approval of the scheme generally, and their readiness to enter into negotiations for the lease, and in some instances the sale, of their lands.

The country submitted to us for lease, and which we conditionally accepted until, terms would be mutually agreed upon, extends from the Rotorna to Taupo, and from Te Whaiti and Runanga to Patetere and the Waotu. It comprises the following blocks, viz.:—Puhorua and Mangorewa, Parekarangi, 70,000 to 80,000 acres, first nine years £200, second nine £250; third nine £300; Horo Horo, Ratoreka, Paeroa, Tarawera Valley; Kaingaroa North, Te Whaiti, Heruiwi, Kaingaroa No. 1 (St. George's), the Tauhara's three blocks—Tauhara Middle, thirty years, first ten years at £100, second at £200, third at £300; Rangatira, Whangamata, Te Tatna, Kaimanawa, Whakamaru West, Tokoroa, Patetere, Te Waotu.

Of these we have already recommended the acceptance of Parekarangi and Tauhara Middle (by telegraph), at the terms stated, and have received authority to close for the former.

The purchases already agreed to are as follows:—

A block surrounding the township of Tapuwaeharuru, in Tauhara Middle, estimated to contain 10,000 to 12,000 acres; price with costs. Original negotiations began on Mr. Mitchell's account, afterwards Messrs. Watt Brothers, of Napier, who agreed to give as high as 2s. per acre, to include all costs. This includes several small purchases, one recognised by Natives (Mr. Park's), others not recognised.

A block of 1,300 acres, fronting Mohaka River, on the Taharua Stream near Patehe; negotiated for on behalf of Mr. Wm. Buckland, of Auckland; price agreed upon being £810, Mr. Buckland to pay cost of survey.

A block of 11,000 acres in Tauhara South, agreed to be sold by Native owners for £630; negotiated for on behalf of Mr. Wm. Buckland, of Auckland, but who abandoned the idea on learning the inalienation of the block.

A block of 10,000 acres in the Oruanui Block; price £600; purchased by Mr. Wm. Buckland, of Auckland.

We should now also inform you that considerable sums of money have been expended by capitalists in these districts, in the hope that quiet possession would result therefrom. Some of those have abandoned their projects; others still contemplate getting possession when possible. The following gentlemen are interested:—Mr. Joldwynn, of Otago; Messrs. Clayton, of Marlborough; Messrs. Wilson and Innes, of Waikato; Messrs. Smith and Corbett, of Auckland; M. C. Robinson and H. C. Young, of Canterbury; E. Moorhouse, of Napier; and M. E. Miller also represents a number of southern interests.

In conclusion, we beg to state that our immediate movements will be directed to the settlement of Tauhara, Parekarangi, and other runs, but we shall be glad to be instructed as to our future course of action, if you deem it necessary.

Thanking you for your prompt attention to our suggestions, and for your approval of what has been already initiated,

We have &c.,

C. O.,Davis,
Heney Mitchell.

The Hon. J. D. Ormond, Napier.