Oteao 4 was surveyed by Edward Dean in August 1877.1
In August 1878 Oteao 4 was awarded to the same owners as were awarded Oteao 3, Mita Whakatau, Rehara Whakatau, Matahera Whakatau, Rahera Tanui, Erana Te Oneone and Rawiri Taiporutu.2
In October 1896 Mita Whakatau and others sold the timber on Oteao 4 to Peneamine Tanui and leased the harvesting rights for 21 years for £50.3 Application was made to have the sale confirmed.4
Judge Mair inquired into the circumstances and made an order confirming the deed on zz May 1897,5 but subsequently it was discovered that Rahera Tanui's signature was not witnessed.6
The order of confirmation of the other signatures on the deed was made in February 1899.
Some doubt later arose as to whether a declaration required to be made under Section 5 Native Land Laws Amendment Act 1895 was made.?
Purchase of Interests in Oteao 4 by the Crown
Interests in Oteao 4 were purchased by Gilbert Mair for the Crown between July 1898 and July 1899.8 The price paid was on the basis that the whole block would be purchased for £36 (i.e. nearly 4/- an acre).
1 Hamilton Maori Land plan 3688-9. Supporting Papers #N149.
2 Order of the Court, 1 August 1878. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C164. Supporting Papers #K8.6.
3 Timber Lease, io October 1896. Copy (incomplete) on Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/190. Supporting Papers #B134.1-5.
4 Application for Confirmation of Alienation, 29 October 1896. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C164. Supporting Papers #K8.10.
5 Hauraki Minute Book 45 page 18.
6 ET Dufaur, Solicitor, Auckland, to Registrar Native Land Court Auckland, 9 February 1899. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C164. Supporting Papers #K8.11-12.
7 Registrar Native Land Court Auckland to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 8 December 1899, attached to Timber Lease (incomplete), 10 October 1896, and Dufaur and MacCormick, Solicitors, Auckland, to Registrar Native Land Court Auckland, 9 December 1899. Maori Affairs Head office file MLP 1899/190. Supporting Papers #B134.1-5 and 6-9.
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