Foster surveyed northern end which he called Titirangi No 2. This portion afterwards called by Court Nos 5 and 6. Court on investigation adopted his survey as northern boundary Kauanga Whenuakite, and also as boundary between Nos 5 and 6 and balance of block. As it was clearly the intention that No 3 should pay for all surveys in connection with investigation, it is obvious that mistake has been made in granting liens against Nos 5 and 6. There is nothing in minutes, Court must have overlooked order for No 3. Understand Foster is trying to sell No 5 through Registrar Supreme Court.5
Crown Purchase of Te Kauanga Whenuakite 3
In August 1901, the month after the appeal had been heard, Gilbert Mair, land purchase officer at Thames, reported to Wellington that
Whenuakite Kauanga is a block of five or 6000 acres near the new mines at Kapowai, Mercury Bay. The principal owners Rahera and Erana Tanui have been offering it for sale to the Crown for some years, but there was a rehearing hanging over a part which has only lately been dealt with and the award is in favour of the above named persons. There are only a few owners. It is a very desirable block to acquire if it can be purchased. You will probably be getting telegrams about it as the senders of the attached telegram are always wiring to me.8
The same day Rahera Tanui did telegraph to Wellington.
We offer you for sale 3000 acres Whenuakite No 3 Mercury Bay. Good title, two owners. Reply today.7
When the Chief Land Purchase Officer replied that
Government is not purchasing native lands at present, why don't you look up a private purchaser? What price do you want?8
Rahera responded that the block she offered was
Good gold field land, auriferous, cheap, ten shillings [per] acre.9
In September 1901 Katerina Nikorima wrote to the Prime Minister, Dick Seddon.
I once more take the liberty to ask you on behalf of Erana Te Oneone and her sister Rahera Tanui who are wishing to negotiate with your Government to sell a block of land situated at Mercury Bay.
The name of the block is Kauanga Whenuakite No 3, acreage 3160, which is bounded by Government land [Oteao 2, and 3] on one side and private property on the other side.
There are three grantees to the block, of which the Chief Surveyor here is one, and was granted to them some time last July.
They have (Erana and Rahera) through an interpreter written to one of your officials named Mr P Sheridan [Chief Land Purchase Officer], who replied that the Government did not care about buying land at present, and yet asked what they would sell it for. [This] Has buoyed up their hopes that I have ventured to appeal to headquarters for information regarding these two words, yes or no.
5Telegram Registrar Native Land Court Auckland to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 26 September 1901. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1902/67. Supporting Papers #B149.13–14.
6 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 28 August 1901. Maori Affairs Head
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