Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

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

Pukekohe

Pukekohe.

This tribe now assert their right to the south side of Pukekohe, independently of Moses, and as they do not appear to have been parties to the former sale, I would respectfully suggest, for the consideration of the Government, the propriety of liquidating their claims, in conjunction with those of the Aketai, by a payment not exceeding an equivalent amount to that formerly paid to the Ngatiteata for the reasons stated in the enclosed memo on the Pukekohe purchase, and the claims thereon. I have subsequently received an offer of a valuable tract of country lying between Tirikohua and Tuakau. The demands of the owners have been as yet too extravagant to be acceded to, but should the Government be pleased to order me to proceed in the negotiations for this tract, I entertain no doubt of being able to curtail their demands to a reasonable amount; and should this be accomplished, and the purchase completed, it would have the effect of confining the Tuakau natives to a reserve (not excessive in quantity) to the land they actually require, and to concentrate their energies in the agricultural pursuits in which they are now embarking in conjunction with the new flour mill in course of erection at Tuakau.

On the 4th instant, I proceeded to Te Puni, and met the native claimants, Epiha and Pera, on the ground; and in conjunction with them marked the boundaries of the block—commencing at the Roto and extending to the Waikato—obtaining an extension of the original boundary from them of several thousand acres, as delineated on the enclosed sketch, the extent of the whole being Eight thousand (8,000) or 9,000 acres. This part of the country is not of so available a character as that about Tuakau, being more hilly and broken, in consideration of which I beg to suggest that a sum not exceeding £175 would be just and reasonable satisfaction for these claimants to this tract.

Having performed the foregoing part of my instructions, I next proceeded up the Waikato with Haimona Paetae and others, to mark the boundaries of the land lately sold by him and the Chief Wetere, known as Mataheka. On arrival there we found that a feast had just taken place at Whangamarino, at which a large number of the Waikato natives were present under the Chief Te Wharepu, and fierce discussions had occurred relative to the disputes among them about Waerenga (a large tract of country extending from the Waikari lake to the Thames).

The chiefs had, at this meeting, unanimously determined to lay a tapu on the whole of this district, extending from Mangatawhiri on the west side to the frith of the Thames, for the purpose of preventing any of the individual members of the tribe selling any portion of this country, as they think that individual natives assert urgent claims for land for the purpose of obtaining them for sale. They assemble to meet us to the number of 200 or 300 men, and appeared very firm in their purpose; so much so, that I think any attempt at present to acquire this tract would not be attended with success, and only tend to foment their quarrels amongst themselves, which are now assuming a serious aspect. Te Whero Whero is at present in Waikato, endeavoring to obtain from the Ngatihaua a recognition of his claim to Waerenga; and has stated that should the adverse party persevere in its pretensions, he will sanction an appeal to arms in the coming summer. Under these circumstances I deemed it prudent not to urge the point with reference to Mataheka, but to suggest that the Chief Weteri be requested to return the instalment of £80 which he has received, until the excitement amongst the natives in this part of the country has subsided. Wetere does not, however, appear to be to blame in the matter, as the opposing party acknowledged his right to certain parts of Mataheka—although they would not allow the compact which had been entered into by all the chiefs to be broken.

Having performed the duties directed in the instructions I have received up to this date, I left Waikato on the 10th, and returned to Auckland via the Thames on the 13th instant.

I have, &c.,

John Grant Johnson,
Interpreter.

The Native Secretary,
Auckland.