THE HAURAKI TRIBAL LANDS—PART 2

If there is still a doubt as to whether the Commissioner considers this restriction prevents the land passing to the Crown, will you be good enough to see Mr Judge Monro who made the order and request him to explain the restriction put on the land. I understand that all the grantees interested in the Block have signed the deed conveying their interests to Her Majesty.23

This appears to have satisfactorily explained the matter, as the Trust Commissioner then certified the deed in October 1879.

Status of the 25 Acre Reserve

This reserve became known as Ounuora 2A. It was at a place known as Mokirahi.

In 1881 the Registrar of the Native Land Court advised that Rapana Te Uia had not been succeeded to. This was even though the signature of Paraku Haimona had been obtained to the sale of Ounuora 2, on the understanding that Paraku was Rapana's successor. So Wilkinson signed an application on Paraku's behalf to have successors to Rapana determined by the Court,24 so that the Crown Grant for Ounuora 2A could be issued in Paraku's name (among others). Paraku Haimona was determined to be the successor to Rapana Te Uia in April 1883.

A Crown Grant was issued under Section 5 Volunteers and Other Lands Act 1877 to Reupena Tahura and 15 others.

The reserve remained in Maori ownership until the 1960's, when the Maori Trustee acting for the owners sold the block to Pareraukawa Judith Balsom.25 She was determined in 1968 to be a European,26 so the sale was deemed to be an alienation, and the land then became General Land.

Whanauroroa

In April 1896 the Commissioner of Crown Lands advised that

A large quantity of kauri timber has been removed from [Whanauroroa] and I am given to understand that it either is Crown Land altogether or the Crown has a large interest in it. I have been writing to Captain Mair about it, and he referred me to Mr Wilkinson, and on applying to that gentleman he says that he cannot remember exactly whether he purchased these 170 acres from the Natives or not, and advised me to communicate with you.27

However,

Whanauroroa is not Crown Land, nor has the Government any interest in it. The natives would not sell at your valuation.28

23 Under Secretary Native Land Purchase Department to Civil Commissioner Auckland, 26 September 1879, on cover sheet to file NLP 1879/41. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1881/114. Supporting Papers #B34.27.

24 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Accountant Native Land Purchase Department, 5 July 1881, on cover sheet to file NLP 1881/114. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1881/114. Supporting Papers #B34.29.

GT Wilkinson, Thames, to Registrar Native Land Court, 5 July 1881. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C189. Supporting Papers #K10.6.

25 Hauraki Minute Book 80 pages 133–134. Supporting Papers #178.3–4.

26 Hauraki Minute Book 80 pages 85–86. Supporting Papers #J78.1–2.

27 Commissioner of Crown Lands Auckland to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 29 April 1896. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1894/386. Supporting Papers #1390.1–2.

28 Chief Land Purchase Officer to Commissioner of Crown Lands Auckland, 6 May 1896, on Commissioner of Crown Lands Auckland to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 29 April 1896. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1894/386. Supporting Papers #B90.1–2.

42