Moehau District: Harataunga

Further offers to sell interests in Harataunga East subdivisions were made by some members of Ngati Porou on the East Coast, when the land purchase officer at Gisborne was seeking to purchase interests in Harataunga West during 1894 and 1895.61 But it was felt that greater progress should be made with the Harataunga West purchases first.62

Purchase by Crown of Interests in Harataunga West Subdivisions

In May 1890 Alfred Preece offered a number of interests in Harataunga West subdivisions for sale to the Crown.

Mrs Agnes Preece having bought shares in No 7 which represents about 1/8th of block, and No 5 about 1/19th of block, No 2 about 1/30th of block, and No r about 1/4 of block, in all about zoo acres. She would be willing to exchange these shares with the Government for other property.63

However, there was little interest, as the gold mining rights had already been ceded to the Crown.64

In November 1892 Major Ropata offered Harataunga West 1 to 7 for sale to the Government.65 A surveyor named Spencer who was familiar with the block was asked to report.

He replies [by telegram] that he considers the Government might give as much as ten shillings an acre for the block, and that the selling price, or rather unimproved capital value for the land when thrown open for selection, would be one pound an acre for one half and 7/6d an acre for the balance.

The Chief Surveyor, in forwarding this information, added that

I do not agree with him, as I think 5/- an acre the full value which should be given for the land. Mr Spencer says there is valuable kauri timber, which is true, but it is daily being removed by purchasers of the timber and unless Government gain full possession of all timber and can dispose of it 10/- an acre is certainly too much.66

The Surveyor General agreed.

I knew the block well some years ago, and I think for settlement purposes 5/- an acre is all that should be given. It may have a greater value for mining purposes. On this I cannot offer an opinion.67

Spencer's written report became available after this.

The most of it is broken hilly country, but there are some good flats on the banks of the Harataunga River, and in the event of its being thrown open for settlement a good many sections could be laid off having frontages to the river and taking in the portion of the broken country at the back of the flats, so that each section would have a part flat land and the back part broken.

61 Land Purchase Officer Gisborne to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 7 September 1894 (referred to on cover sheet to file NLP 1894/232) and 27 April 1895. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B12.8.46 and 49.

62 Chief Land Purchase Officer to Land Purchase Officer Gisborne, 20 November 1894, on cover sheet to file NLP 1894/232. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B128.46.

63 Alfred Preece, Coromandel, to Resident Magistrate Coromandel, 9 May 1890. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B128.32–33.

64 Accountant Native Department to Resident Magistrate Thames, 30 October 1890, on cover sheet to file NLP 1890/355. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B128.34–35.

65 Native Minister to Under Secretary Native Department, 4 November 1892, referred to on cover sheet to file NLP 1892/184. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B128.39.

66 Chief Surveyor Auckland to Surveyor General, 19 December 1892. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B128.40.

67 Surveyor General to Under Secretary Land Purchase, 19 December 1892, on Chief Surveyor Auckland to Surveyor General, 19 December 1892. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B128.40.

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