On the basis of this information the Surveyor General recommended, and the Minister of Lands approved in April 1896, the purchase of Hoe o Tainui South 3A and 3B at 6/- an acre.45 Earlier that month Pohutuhutu Te Harare and 13 others had replied to Mair's written offer to purchase Willis' Grant and the Hoe o Tainui South 3 subdivisions for 5/- an acre.
We are indeed very sad at the smallness of these prices, for these particular blocks are all good land, all level with no bad portions, and situated right on the banks of the Piako River, and covered with titree and flax. These lands are indeed much better than either of the Maukoro blocks for which 6/- an acre is being given. We are opposed to selling land and only offer these blocks for the purpose of paying off our debts and survey liens. Could we sell these lands to outsiders, they would bring, perhaps, £1 an acre. Wherefore we pray that the Government will further consider these circumstances and show us some kindness by giving us one shilling an acre more.46
Mair asked for permission to offer 6/- an acre for Willis' Grant and Hoe o Tainui South 3C. He added that
From its position and general quality, I consider Willis' Block the best and most important to acquire.47
The Surveyor General recommended, and in June 1896 the Minister of Lands approved, an increase to 6/- an acre."
Between May 1896 and March 1897 Gilbert Mair purchased shareholdings in Hoe o Tainui South 3A for the Crown.49
Between January and April 1897 Gilbert Mair purchased shareholdings in Hoe o Tainui South 3B for the Crown.50
Between March and July 1897 Gilbert Mair purchased a number of shareholdings in Hoe o Tainui South 3C for the Crown." The one remaining shareholding was purchased in November 1897, shortly before the Native Land Court considered an application to define the Crown's interests. The Court ordered that the Crown was entitled to the whole block.52
Te Hoe o Tainui South 3A and 3B were declared Crown Land in October 1897,53 while Te Hoe o Tainui South 3C was declared Crown Land in July 1898.54
45 Surveyor General to Chief Land Purchase Officer, undated, and Chief Land Purchase Officer to Minister of Lands, II April 1896, approved by Minister of Lands, 14 April 1896, on cover sheet to file NLP 1896/98. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1898/186. Supporting Papaers #13127.12-13.
46 Pohutuhutu Te Harare and 13 others, Te Hoe o Tainui, to Land Purchase Officer Thames, 4 April 1896, attached to Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 16 April 1896. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1898/186. Supporting Papers #B127.14-17.
47 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 16 April 1896. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1898/186. Supporting Papers #B127.14-17.
48 File note by Minister of Lands, r June 1896, on cover sheet to file NLP 1896/112. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1898/186. Supporting Papers #B127.18.
49 Auckland Deed 2053. Supporting Papers #A274.
5°Auckland Deed 2054. Supporting Papers #A275.
51 Auckland Deed 3042. Supporting Papers #A291.
52 Hauraki Minute Book 46page 16o. Supporting Papers #153.1. Order of the Court, 20 November 1897. Copy attached to Auckland Deed 3042. Supporting Papers #Az91.
53 New Zealand Gazette 1897 pages 1747-1749. Supporting Papers #w3o.2-4.
54 New Zealand Gazette 1898 pages 1251-1254. Supporting Papers #w31.1-4.
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