I have no positive information on the subject at all, but still I am aware that a block of land such as I have shown on tracing attached has always been withheld from dealings because it was required for the Maoris living there who were relatives or belonging to Tarapipipi's tribe. No very definite boundaries have ever, so far as I know, been fixed for this land, but they are approximately as I have shown on tracing and therein coloured red. The natives have been in occupation since 1873 to my own knowledge, and probably were so before that.
I think it not unlikely that the Maoris are occupying lands outside and to the west of the boundaries shown, but I have no positive information.11
The Under Secretary in the Native Department recommended that
I think this had better be looked into when I am at Auckland. The reserve must be surveyed and names of Grantees settled before legislation can be obtained to authorise issue of Grant.12
The Minister approved this course of action.
When a surveyor went on the ground, he was apparently obstructed. In September 1890 the Chief Surveyor at Auckland wrote to Wilkinson that
As you are doubtless aware that some 2500 acres are to be surveyed at Hapuakohe for Wini Kerei and his hapu, in prosecution of this intention I instructed Mr Haszard, Government surveyor, to proceed to Hapuakohe and commence the survey. He now writes to me under date of 27 August that upon proceeding to the ground and commencing work, he was stopped by Te Wirihana, who refused to allow him to proceed with the work. I now write to ask if it will be convenient to you to meet Mr Haszard on the ground so as to explain the matter to the native yourself, and also to ask what time will suit you."
Wilkinson replied that
I cannot say when it will be convenient for me to proceed there to meet Mr Haszard, the surveyor, and explain the matter to the natives, as requested by you, as, from correspondence that has later taken place between the Under Secretary Native Department and myself; I am satisfied that, unless the reason is an important one, it is not considered advisable in the interest of Government land purchase operations within Rohepotae block that I should absent myself from this district. I have however forwarded your memo to Wellington for the information of the Under Secretary and for his instructions. In the meantime I would suggest two courses of action for your consideration; one is to communicate with Wini Kerei himself (I will do so for you if you desire it), who is at present attending the NL Court at Thames, and request him to deal with Te Wirihana. The other is to take the same action with regard to Te Wirihana as was taken with the Kerepehi (Piako) natives who obstructed the erection of a trig station at their settlement a few weeks ago, viz., summon him for obstructing Mr Haszard, who I presume was legally on the ground for the purpose of making the survey.14
Three days later Wirihana Paho wrote to Wilkinson.
This is to let you, that is the Government, know my reasons for obstructing the survey of my land within the Government outside boundary (confiscation line) which was reserved for us
11 Surveyor General to Under Secretary Native Department, 9 July 1890. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1892/8. Supporting Papers #B74.287-288.
12 Under Secretary Native Department to Native Minister, 19 September 2890, on cover sheet to file NLP 1890/228. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 2892/8. Supporting Papers #B74.285.
13 Chief Surveyor Auckland to Native Agent Otorohanga, r September 1890, attached to Native Agent Otorohanga to Under Secretary Native Department, 4 September 1890. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP /S
_92 _.273-275.
14 Native Agent Otorohanga to Chief Surveyor Auckland, 4 September 1890, attached to Native Agent Otorohanga to Under Secretary Native Department, 4 September 1890. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 2892/8. Supporting Papers #1374.273-275.
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