Mercury Bay District: Marokoka

This offer was communicated to Repiu Tokata, and Mair reported back that

Repiu Tokata will accept 2/6 an acre. The cost of survey £88–18–11 to be deducted, also a further sum, say £ 10–10–0, for cost of surveying off the small reserves for cemeteries etc. I will arrange these so as not to let him have all the frontage. Will it not be best for Repiu to convey the whole block and then reconvey to him the title [to] pieces he wishes to retain? The old man is waiting here, he is very ill and I have advanced him £5 of my own to enable him to obtain medical assistance and food, till I can get a reply from you. Will you please wire authority for me to purchase if approved.7

He was told that

The deed should exclude the reserves and they should be clearly shown on the plan. You have I presume ascertained that the title is clear of encumbrances of any kind. If so purchase can proceed after 1st [April 1896] .8

Marokoka was purchased by the Crown in April 1896 for £317–10–0d.9 Later that month Mair was able to report that

Purchase of Marokoka completed and Deeds in duplicate forwarded to Wellington. £88–18–11 was deducted for survey costs. 3 small reserves, viz Te Hinahina 3o acres, Mangarahi 10 acres, and Te Rewarewa 20 acres, have been excluded from the purchase and marked off approximately on the Deed.10

The purchase price represents 2/6d an acre for 2540 acres (i.e. the block excluding 6o acres for reserves).

Marokoka block, excluding the three reserves, was declared Crown Land in July 1896.11

The reserves had to be surveyed. In August 1896, Mair reported that

On two of [the three reserves] are a number of graves, and it was entirely on this account that they were excepted from sale. The natives now have come over from Mercury Bay to inform me that the surveys have been made without their knowledge and the graves are not included in the 10 and 20 acre [reserves].

I presume a Government surveyor has carried out the work without asking Repiu or his brothers, who live near by, to point out the graveyards, and this will necessitate the work being done over again.

I have promised the natives to refer the matter at once in order to have the mistake put right.12 The surveyor, Spencer, was asked for an explanation, and replied that

I was not aware at the time I made the survey of the reserves that there were graves on them. It was not until after I had completed the work that I saw the natives and was informed by them that it was on account of the graves that the reserves were made.13

7 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 18 March 1896, on cover sheet to file NLP 1896/23. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1896/109. Supporting Papers #B108.7–8.

8 Chief Land Purchase Officer to Land Purchase Officer Thames, 24 March 1896, on cover sheet to file NLP 1896/23. Maori Affairs Head Office file 1896/109. Supporting Papers #B108.7–8.

9 Auckland Deed 1939. Supporting Papers #A251.

10 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 16 April 1896, on cover sheet to file NLP 1896/23. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 7896/109. Supporting Papers #B108.7–8.

11 New Zealand Gazette 1896 pages 7075–7076. Supporting Papers #W29.1–2.

12 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, to August 1896. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 7896/709. Supporting Papers #B108.9.

13 WC Spencer to Chief Surveyor Auckland, undated, on Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 10 August 1896. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1896/109.

Supporting Papers #B108.9.

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