There were four applications made for the investigation of title to Oteao 1. The first was by Arama Whakatau in September 1873.1 Then in December 1873 Rahera Te Aoreiata of Ngati Hei lodged an application.2 When, in November 1875, the block had been surveyed, Rahera Te Aoreiata and Erana Te Oneone of Ngati Hei repeated Rahera's application.3 The third application was made in October 1874 by Mita Whakatau.4 The fourth application was made in January 1876 by Rawiri Taiporutu, Rehara Arama and Rahera Reupene of Ngatiparekaiata hapu of Ngati Hei.5
There was a hearing by the Court in May 1876. The block was awarded to Mita Whakatau (as to two shares), and Matahira Whakatau, Rehara Whakatau, Rahera Tanui and Erana Te Oneone (as to one share each), all of Ngati Hoko hapu of Ngati Hei.6
Purchase and Leasing of Interests in Oteao
Two of the five owners, Rahera Tanui and Erana Te Oneone, sold their interests to Alfred Edward Johnston, an Auckland accountant, in December 1897 for £5 each.7 Johnston later transferred his one-third interest in the block to the Kauri Timber Company Ltd.
The owners who held the other two-thirds of the shares in the block leased their interests to Leyland O'Brien Timber Company Ltd for 10 years from March 1906.8
Land Taken for Road
2 roods 7.8 perches of Oteao I was taken for road in January 1924.9 Compensation was considered by the Native Land Court in October 1924, when a nil award was made.10
1 Application for Investigation of Title, 9 September 1873. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C134. Supporting Papers #K4.1.
2 Application for Investigation of Title, 10 December 1873. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C134. Supporting Papers #K4.2.
3 Application for Investigation of Title, 15 November 1875. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C134. Supporting Papers #K4.4.
4 Application for Investigation of Title, 15 October 1874. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C134. Supporting Papers #K4.3.
5 Application for Investigation of Title, 17 January 1876. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C134. Supporting Papers #14.5.
6 Order of the Court, 26 May 1876. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C134. Supporting Papers #K4.6-7.
7 Hamilton Land Registry Transfer 22826. Supporting Papers #Q6o.
8 Hamilton Land Registry Lease 3052. Supporting Papers #Q170.
9 New Zealand Gazette 1924page 244. Supporting Papers #w56.1.
10 Order of the Court, 22 October 1924. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C134. Supporting Papers #K4.8.
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