December 1879 and February 1880 by Ropata Ngatai and others, Ropata Wahawaha and others, and Wiremu Paikea and others.35 The Trust Commissioner heard that
Understand that these two blocks of land are leased to Johnson and Vickery for 21 years. They are to receive £1.0.0 per tree for each kauri tree over 3 feet diameter. Between 2 and 3 feet diameter, 5/-. They will appoint a person to measure the trees. They have reserves on this land to live upon, and have also other lands for their occupation. All the other grantees understand this lease. Payments to be made quarterly.36
Alfred Preece was the land agent acting for Johnson and Vickery. He was unable to get the signatures of all the grantees.37
It seems there may have been a dispute between two competing purchasing parties, as no money was paid to the owners immediately.38
The effect of these leases in relation to the cession of gold mining rights was the subject of some debate in 1897 and 1898.
In September 1897 Mair reported to Wellington that
Re Harataunga West r to 7. I was informed that Gold Revenue was still being paid to natives who have long since disposed of their interests to the Crown, so I served the Receiver of Gold Revenue with a correct copy of sellers and non-sellers up to the latest date. The kauri timber is all being removed from these blocks, but I do not know whether or not it is being taken under agreements properly entered into prior to the Crown commencing the purchase.39
The Chief Land Purchase Officer's reaction was that
These lands were ceded to the Government long before the title was investigated by the Native Land Court. There can therefore be no valid outstanding private lease or agreement to deal with the timber, and it is the duty of the Warden and no other person to stop its removal. The shares acquired in the freehold by the Crown are extremely trifling and do not warrant interference by the Crown Lands Department.40
The Commissioner of Crown Lands then reported in January 1898.
For the past 3 years the Land Purchase Officer, Captain Gilbert Mair, has been acquiring interests in the above blocks, and up to the present time fully one fourth of the land has thus been purchased, but these interests are undivided shares in six out of seven Harataunga West blocks, and I understand it is not likely that the Government will be able to buy many more shares in these blocks for some time to come. There is good kauri timber over the whole of them, but more especially over Nos 3, 4, 5 and 7 amounting in all to about seven million feet. Of this timber, very large quantities have been cut for the last few years and the removal is still going on.
The persons removing the timber claim to have a right under a lease or deed of agreement made 15 or 18 years ago between the native owners and themselves. I could not obtain a perusal of that
35 Alfred Preece to Trust Commissioner, 3 February 1880. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C319. Supporting Papers #K16.4–8.
36 Notes of Evidence to Trust Commissioner, 4 February 1880. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C319. Supporting Papers #K16.5.
37 Statement by Alfred Preece, undated, and note by Registrar Native Land Court Auckland, 26 November 1880. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C319. Supporting Papers #K16.6–8 and 9.
38 John Uncles, Coromandel, to Trust Commissioner, 17 February 1880. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C319. Supporting Papers #K16.10.
39 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 28 September 1897. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B128.50–51.
40 File note by Chief Land Purchase Officer, 20 October 1897, on Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 28 September 1897. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers
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