definition of shares, and those natives who have resided on the land for the last fifty years were most unwilling to admit that the sellers, none of whom had probably ever seen the land, should have equal shares. However the Crown claims were dealt with on the assumption that the shares were all equal.
In the case of No 1, we selected the back portion, receiving an extra 9acres by way of compensation on account of want of frontage. In Nos 3 and 4 we selected the back on account of the kauri timber. As to the rest, the Crown awards comprise the best of the land.82
The purchase was notified in 1899.83
The areas awarded to the Crown were shown on a survey plan in 1903.84
Miner's Right Revenue
During the efforts of the land purchase officer in Gisborne to obtain signatures for the sale of interests in the Harataunga West subdivisions, complaints were made by some owners that they were not receiving any income from miner's rights.85 Wilkinson explained the background.
Until March 31st 1892, all revenue accrued from the Harataunga blocks (without any distinction between East and West) has been paid to Ropata Wahawaha and Eruera Kawhia on behalf of all the owners. Since then, however, it has been retained, because of an objection by one of the owners to these chiefs receiving the money. There is now about £145 in hand, and what I propose should be done now is for the Mining Inspector to allocate that money to the particular subdivisions on which the mining etc has taken place, and pay it to the owners of those subdivisions, or to those who they may appoint to receive it. (I may state that there are about 7 subdivisions of Harataunga West, and about 5 of Harataunga East.) Arrangements are being made to so allocate the money now in hand. The Mining Inspector informs me, however, that, so far as the particular subdivision known as Harataunga West No 1 is concerned, no revenue has accrued from it.86
Award of Land to the Crown in Lieu of Survey Charges
In September 1907 the Crown claimed that £1 was owing on Harataunga West 8, for the compilation of a survey plan of the block. The block, which had an area of 1 acre 2roods 24perches, had a valuation of £3, so the Crown representative asked for 2 roods to be awarded to the Crown, at the western en 0 the block, in lieu of the survey charges. The Court agreed an awarded the Crown Harataunga West 8A.87 This left the owners with Harataunga West 8B of 1 acre 0 roods 24 perches.
82Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 23March 1899. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B128.75–77.
84Hamilton Maori Land plan 6385–6391. Supporting Papers #N209.
85Land Purchase Officer Gisborne to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 22 January 1895. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B128.47–48.
86Native Agent Otorohanga to Mining Warden Thames, 23 March 1895, on Land Purchase Officer Gisborne to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 22 January 1895. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1899/48. Supporting Papers #B128.47–48.
87Hauraki Minute Book 56 page 355. Supporting Papers #J63.27.
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