KAIMARAMA

INVESTIGATED 5 October 1870

Coromandel Minute Book 2 pages 406-411, and Hauraki Minute Book 6 pages 225-2321

AREA   8300 acres

PLAN   Hamilton Maori Land plan 1966

Investigation of Title

Application for investigation of title to Kaimarama was made in May 1870 by Maihi Te Hinaki for Ngati Hura.2 At the owners' request,' the hearing of this and other Mercury Bay applications was heard at Whitianga.

The survey plan was completed by William Graham in July 1870. On being checked by the Chief Surveyor, he noted that

The attention of the Inspector of Surveys is drawn to the circumstance of the existence of many serious discrepancies between the bearings and measurements of the NW boundary (points A to B) of this block, and those of the SE boundary of the previously surveyed contiguous block - Mahakirau, Government land.

As a result the Inspector of Surveys issued instructions for certain corrections to be made to Graham's plan.4

At the Court sitting at Toumuia (Whitianga) on 5 October 1870, Maihi Te Hinaki claimed Kaimarama for his ancestor Piri.

This land has always been in our possession and I hold it now. My father used to snare birds and

eat rats upon it. No one has ever disturbed us, we have always been in undisputed possession.

There are no other owners, I am the sole owner. Te Aioroa was an owner but he died long ago. Two counter-claims were raised, by Maka Peneheireti and Harata Puhata. Maka also claimed from Piri (though later in her cross-examination she also claimed from a later ancestor,

Kaumea), saying that the true owners were Maihi Te Hinaki and herself. The children of Te Aiaroa also had a claim to the land.

William Graham, the surveyor, told the Court that he had surveyed the block.

Maihi and his son pointed out the boundaries. They cut the lines and his people were with me the whole time. I think the survey takes in a small portion of Ounuora granted land. I saw no

1 The Hauraki Minute Book appears to be a copy of the Coromandel Minute Book.

2 Application for Investigation of Title, 23 May 1870. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C13z. Supporting Papers #K3.I.

3 Maihi Te Hinaki and 12 others, Whitianga, to Chief Judge Native Land Court, 27 April 1870, and Preece and Graham, Auckland, to Registrar Native Land Court Auckland, 26 May 1870. Maori Land Court Hamilton Correspondence file C353. Supporting Papers #L2.1-2 and 3.

4 Notes on Hamilton Maori Land plan 1966. Supporting Papers #N29.

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