I have been over the lower part of this block. It runs up from the Piako River to the Hungawera Range on the south side of Willis' Grant. The portion I have been over contains some fairly good land, worth 6/- an acre."
The Surveyor General recommended that
This land adjoins Crown Land apparently and therefore is of more value on that account. It is worth while to give 5/- an acre for it."
Purchase at this price was approved by the Minister of Lands in March 1895.4° In February 1896 Mair telegraphed to Wellington from Miranda that
Hoe o Tainui has assembled here to discuss sale to Crown. They accept price offered for the Maukoro blocks, namely six shillings, and ask that same price be given for Willis' Grant and Ngahuha blocks. These four pieces would make one continuous block with frontage to Piako River. The two latter being almost level land are quite worth 6/- an acre. I think this offer should be accepted as it will be a good start to secure these lands. The rest can be got later on.41
But he was told that the offer of 5/- an acre could not be exceeded, as this was the price
offered for the Ngarua block.42
Mair replied that
Ngatipaoa now offer to sell two other blocks, viz Te Riu o Hauraki, and Rata or Hoe o Tainui South 3A. Te Riu o Hauraki is also called Hoe o Tainui South 3B, 1420 acres. These two blocks join two already under offer, viz Ngahuha o Tahuna and Willis' Grant, and if purchased would make one continuous estate from Maukoro right up to the settled lands near Morrinsville. Willis' Grant, Te Riu o Hauraki and Ngahuha are all fair land, almost level, covered with flax and titree, situated on the west bank of the Piako River opposite the Whanake blocks and eminently adapted for immediate settlement. They are better lands than either of the Maukoro blocks for which I was instructed to pay 7/6d an acre, but am now purchasing at 6/-. If I could offer 6/- for these, all the natives would sell at once, as they want money to pay off their debts to Graham and Cheal. Seeing that this land is all ploughable, that steamers come right along its boundary, I take the liberty of suggesting that the price be raised from 5/- to 6/- per acre.43
He added three days later that
There are only a few names in each of these blocks [Hoe o Tainui South 3A, 3B and 3c]. I have already had claims for succession to all deceased grantees advertised, so the purchases can be carried out quickly if approved.44
38 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 18 February 1895. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1898/186. Supporting Papers #B1z7.i-z.
39 Surveyor General to Chief Land Purchase Officer, z March 1895, on cover sheet to file NLP 1895/104. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1898/186. Supporting Papers #B127.3.
40 File note by Minister of Lands, 8 March 1895, on cover sheet to file NLP 1895/104. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1898/186. Supporting Papers #B127.3.
41 Telegram Land Purchase Officer, Miranda, to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 1 February 1896. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1898/186. Supporting Papers #13127.4-6.
42 Telegram Chief Land Purchase Officer to Land Purchase Officer, Miranda, 1 February 1896. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1898/186. Supporting Papers #B127.7.
43 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, zo March 1896. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1898/186. Supporting Papers #13127.8-9.
44 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 23 March 1896. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1898/186. Supporting Papers #13127.10-11.
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