Hauraki Minute Book 10 pages 188-189 AREA Ahikope I - 282 acres
Ahikope 2 - 8 acres 2 roods 38 perches
PLAN Hamilton Maori Land plan 3905-15
Investigation of Title
A survey plan showing Ahikope I and z was completed by Oliver Creagh in February 1877.1 This showed Ahikope as a portion of a larger block referred to as Waihou West z.
Application to have title to Ahikope investigated was made in March 1877 by Haora Tareranui, Pepene Pirihi and Hotene Ngakari of Ngatitu.2
In July 1877 the Court ordered the issue of two Memorials of Ownership, for Ahikope 1 of 282 acres (in favour of 15 owners) and for Ahikope z of 8 acres 2 roods 38 perches (in favour of Makerita Tokerau solely).3
Purchase of Ahikope z by the Crown
The Crown in May 1878 notified that monies had been paid for interests in Ahikope I, and that purchase of the block was being negotiated by the Government.4
By a deed dated November 1878, the Crown purchased Ahikope r from its owners for £6o.5 Ahikope I was declared Waste Lands of the Crown in March 1879.6 However this was only after an irregularity in connection with this and some other deeds, for lands declared Waste
Lands of the Crown at the same time, was rectified. Some of the signatures had not been witnessed by a Resident Magistrate, or the grantees were minors. The Under Secretary made a special trip to Wanganui to interview Mackay, and reported back to the Native Minister that
Mr Mackay assured me that ... in every case the owners were satisfied with the amount paid,
and he considers the Crown's title clear and good.
Mr Mackay at my request has certified on each deed that the purchase is complete, and that he is not aware of any objection to the lands being proclaimed Waste Lands of the Crown. Under these circumstances I beg respectfully to recommend that the lands be at once proclaimed Waste Lands of the Crown.?
r Hamilton Maori Land plan 3905-15. Supporting Papers #N156.
z Application for Investigation of Title, rz March 1877. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file Hz6o. Supporting Papers #K32.1
3 Hauraki Minute Book ro pages 188-189. Supporting Papers 1416.39-40.
Orders of the Court, II July 1877 and rz July 1877. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file Hz6o. Supporting Papers #K32.2-3.
4 New Zealand Gazette 1878 pages 600-608, at page 6or. Supporting Papers #vvrx.r--9.
5 Auckland Deed 1036. Supporting Papers #A86.
6 New Zealand Gazette 1879 pages 420-421. Supporting Papers #wrz.6-7.
7 Accountant Native Department to Native Minister, 17 February 1879. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1883/94. Supporting Papers #B44.1-2.