The flats appear to be very good land, and I put them down as worth £1 per acre. A great part of the block is very broken country, I put it down as worth 10/- an acre as a whole on account of the kauri on it. It is roughly estimated by people who have been over it at thirty million feet, but that may be rather a high estimate, but I know there is a good quantity of kauri in Harataunga East, on the banks of the Harataunga River, which has never been worked, and there is a great quantity on some of the subdivisions of Harataunga West, but a good deal of timber has been cut on this part of the block. I may also inform you that the principal gold workings on the Tokatea are in the Harataunga block.68
In response to this report, the Surveyor General commented that
The kauri on Harataunga East would make that part more valuable, but what is wanted is land for settlement, and kauri land is not worth much on that account. I still think 5/- an acre all round enough to give.69
The Resident Magistrate was then instructed in February 1893 to see how many owners would sell at 5/- an acre.70 Lists of owners were supplied later that month.71
From September 1893 the Crown sought to purchase interests in the 7 Harataunga West subdivisions. The price it was offering for interests was based on a price for all seven subdivisions of £1084–15–od (i.e. 5/- per acre).72 The deed provided for the owners to "surrender,
convey and assure" the land "together with all rights and appurtenances thereto belonging or appertaining ... for ever".
In February 1894 the Crown notified that it had entered into negotiations for the purchase of the Harataunga West 1 to 6.73 The Crown interest in purchasing Harataunga West 7 was notified in September 1894.74 These notices had the effect of preventing private purchasers
from competing with the Crown for purchase of the blocks. The reason for issuing two separate notices is not known.
In November 1894 the newly arrived land purchase officer at Thames, Gilbert Mair, was told that
Mr Brooking [land purchase officer at Gisborne] has had a deed for Harataunga West 1 to 7 under signature for some time, but without making a great deal of progress. You will find the shares which he has acquired marked off in pencil as 'sold' in copies of lists in this file. Please note these on lists which were sent to Mr Northcroft under cover of the within memo, and then try and purchase any of the outstanding shares you can. I enclose deed and schedule of prices.
Purchase of Harataunga East not yet commenced.
68 WCC Spencer, Rawene, to Chief Surveyor Auckland, 20 December 1892, attached to Chief Surveyor Auckland to Surveyor General, 7 January 1893. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48.
Supporting Papers #B128.41–42.
69 Surveyor General to Under Secretary Land Purchase, 24 January 1893, on Chief Surveyor Auckland to Surveyor General, 7 January 1893. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48.
Supporting Papers #B128.41–42.
70 Chief Land Purchase Officer to Resident Magistrate Thames, 8 February 1893, on Chief Surveyor Auckland to Surveyor General, 7 January 1893. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48.
Supporting Papers #B128.41–42.
71 Chief Land Purchase Officer to Resident Magistrate Thames, 24 February 1893. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B128.43–44.
72 Auckland Deed 3170. Supporting Papers #A292.
74 New Zealand Gazette 1894pages 1422–423. Supporting Papers #W27.7–8.
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