Mercury Bay District: Te Kauanga Whenuakite

They replied that they would sell at ten shillings an acre. They have waited here for results in vain, and as their tickets for steamer expire today, they are leaving for home without knowing if they can sell or not to your Government.

You will confer me a great honour by letting me know, so that I may be able to forward your reply and relieve their misgiving on the matter in question whether it be yea or nay.10

The Chief Land Purchase Officer reported to the Prime Minister that

The block of land referred to is vested in the Chief Surveyor Auckland and the two natives as trustees to raise funds to defray survey and other expenses in connection with a number of adjoining blocks. Evidently the two natives want to get the manipulation of the funds into their own hands, but they could not give a valid receipt or title without the concurrence of their co-trustee, the Chief Surveyor, on whom of course the whole responsibility. ... They have been reminded of the position through the Hon Mr Kelly, who was in communication with the Hon the Native Minister on the subject.11

A further letter was received on behalf of Erana and Rahera, which had been sent by a settler named Nicholson to the Native Minister.

Re Kauanga Whenuakite block of land. The native owners have asked me to write to you stating that they would like if the Government would purchase the above named block, and if you would oblige by seeing the Minister of Lands re the same, as it is a valuable block on account of being close to the present Kapowai goldfield, it may be an advantage for it to be owned by Government.

If nothing can be done for them re Government purchasing, could you manage to get the Native Minister to arrange for a Native Council to be appointed for the Whitianga District.12

Mair was instructed to tell the Maori owners of the block that they should consult with the Chief Surveyor about a sale,13 and the Native Minister replied to Nicholson in similar vein, with the addition that

Arrangements can probably be made for the purchase of the land by the Crown, but [the two Maori owners] cannot under any circumstances be allowed to assume the rights of beneficial ownership or to appropriate any portion of the proceeds to their own personal use.14

The Chief Surveyor must have suggested the purchase of Kauanga Whenuakite 3 by the Crown at about this time, as the file contains a response by the Chief Land Purchase Officer

to a telegram apparently received from the Chief Surveyor.

I think price which you suggest for Kauanga Whenuakite is rather low. Many years ago it was agreed upon that five shillings should be a minimum for lands in the Thames Goldfields. From the goldfields point of view, this block may be worth even a little more. If question crops up again it would be well to consult the Warden. 15

10 Katerina Nikorima, Auckland, to Prime Minister, 16 September 1901. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1902/67. Supporting Papers #B149.7–9.

11 Chief Land Purchase Officer to Prime Minister, 20 September 1901, on Katerina Nikorima, Auckland, to Prime Minister, 16 September 1901. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1902/67. Supporting Papers #B149.7–9.

12 WB Nicholson, Gumtown, to Native Minister, 17 September 1901. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1902/67. Supporting Papers #B149.10–11.

13 Telegram Chief Land Purchase Officer to Land Purchase Officer Thames, 24 September 1901. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1902/67. Supporting Papers #B149.12.

14 Native Minister to WB Nicholson, Gumtown, 30 September 1901. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1902/67. Supporting Papers #B149.15.

15 Telegram Chief Land Purchase Officer to Chief Surveyor Auckland, 4 October 1901. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1902/67. Supporting Papers #B149.16.

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