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

No. 2. — Memorandum by Mr. Commissioner Kemp

page 2

No. 2.
Memorandum by Mr. Commissioner Kemp.

Report on Claims of Tipene to a portion of Oruru Valley.

By His Excellency's directions, Tamati Waka appeared at the Land Purchase Department in reference to the claim of a young chief, named Tipene, to a portion of the payment for the Valley of Oruru, near Mangonui, (or Doubtless Bay), for the purchase of which the Government is now under negotiation. In explanation of this claim, the following paragraph from Mr. Johnson's Report of the 23rd February, 1855, will show the position in which the applicant stands:—

"Next in importance, with a view to quiet occupation, is the settlement of the demands of Pororua and the Mauriuri of Hokianga." (Mem.: Their chief is Moses Tawai.)

"Besides the Ngapuhi and the Rarawa, another party have now appeared, headed by a young man, Tipene, of the Ngatikahu Tribe, the original possessors of the land in question, who were formerly on the side of the Rarawa, taking part with them against the Ngapuhi in 1842. They have now quarrelled with their late chief, Noble, and are urging their claims under the auspices of Tamati Waka."

Mr. Johnson, in recommending a division of the money, proposes a sum of one hundred pounds (£100) to be given to the chief Tipene.

Tamati Waka has represented his claim to be nearly equal to that of Pororua, who is to receive, I understand, £150; and suggested that Tipene's people should receive the same amount in order more effectually to satisfy several outstanding claimants, of whom the very influential, chief Rangatira, of Hokianga, is one, and to enable the Government to take quiet possession of the valley in so far as they are concerned.

Although in all native transactions it is very objectionable, and often entails trouble, to interfere with another officer's arrangements, still, as Tamati Waka had already seen Mr. Johnson, and having come to Auckland with these chiefs principally to lay the case before the Governor; and having, moreover, strongly recommended an additional sum of £50 to be given, I undertook to submit the question for his Excellency's favorable consideration and approval, upon the understanding that, if Mr. Johnson completed the purchase, they would pledge themselves that no further claims should be made upon the Government for the land in question.

H. T. Kemp,
Native Secretary,
Land Purchase Department.

Auckland, 4th May, 1855.