the portion known as Pungarehuroa there are some quartz reefs, but not more than 20 acres in extent. The land is partly flat with easy slopes, good land and mostly ploughable. ... The land is close to Gumtown, Whitianga. We consider it is worth 10/- an acre.5
The response in Wellington was that
There is no use the Natives making such absurd offers. The Government might for the purposes of extinguishing the Native title, if the Natives have a sufficiency of lands elsewhere, go as high as 2/- an acre.6
This offer was communicated to the owners, but there is no record of the matter being taken further.
5 Rahera Tanui, Erana Te Onerere and Taumaha Kara, Whitianga, to Land Purchase Officer Thames, 15 February 1895. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1895/115. Supporting Papers #B98.9 –10.
6 Chief Land Purchase Officer to Land Purchase Officer Thames, 5 March 1895, on cover sheet to file NLP 1895/115. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1895/115. Supporting Papers #B98.11.
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