The Native Land Court declared who were the owners in this piece of land. I don't think the Government can go outside the Court's order and allow the writer and his friends to come in as owners now. Neither can a reserve be made for them unless by registration.3
The Minister agreed, and Ngati Tokanui and Ngati Remu were written to .4
Definition of Interests of the Crown
In June 1882 the Court considered an application made by the Crown to have its interests in Ohinemuri 17 separately defined.5
It determined that the Crown had purchased interests in the block amounting to 31,377 acres, under an agreement which included the provision of a reserve to be granted to the sellers. It therefore awarded 31,377 acres to the Crown, subject to four reserves:
10 acres at Rauwharangi in the western corner of the block, to be held in trust by Hoera Mimiha, Mihireana Mimiha and Ngahaka Mimiha as a burial place,
1 acre at Kotangitangi, to be held in trust by Te Keepa Raharuhi and Peti Marakai as a burial place,
– 3130 acres on the south side of the road to Katikati, at right angles to it and running back to the southern boundary of the block, for those of Ngati Tamatera who had sold their interests,
1120 acres at Mangakiri, for those of Ngati Koi who had sold their interests.6
The non-sellers were left with 3,746 acres.7 For some reason the Court did not specify the location of the non-sellers' portion, nor did it order the non-sellers' portion to be separately defined, as was the pattern with the other Ohinemuri subdivisions. Both the Crown and the non-sellers portions were therefore parts of Ohinemuri 17.8 Despite this, a survey was made of the non-sellers' portion in the eastern part of the block, and it was referred to as Ohinemuri
17A.9
On survey Ohinemuri 17 and 17A retained their intended areas.10 Kotangatanga urupa was found to be located on Owharoa 2.
Ohinemuri 17 was declared Crown Land in August 1884.11
3 Under Secretary Native Land Purchase Department to Native Minister, 16 November 1882, on cover sheet to file NLP 1882/415. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1889/268. Supporting Papers #B69.10–11.
4 Under Secretary Native Land Purchase Department to Hirini Te Tumu, Katikati, 10 January 1883, on cover
sheet to file NLP 1882/415. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1889/268. Supporting Papers #B69.10–11.
5 Native Minister to Chief Judge Native Land Court, 16 April 1881. Maori Land Court Hamilton Miscellaneous Papers file H811. Supporting Papers #L4.35–36.
6 Order of the Court, 27 June 1882. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file H811. Supporting Papers #K57.77–83.
Auckland Deed 1460. Supporting Papers #A163.
7 Hauraki Minute Book 14 pages 327–332. Supporting Papers #J20.60–65.
8 Telegram Land Purchase Officer Thames to Under Secretary Native Land Purchase Department, 2 August 1882. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1889/268. Supporting Papers #869.3.
9 Assistant Surveyor General to Under Secretary Native Land Purchase Department, 20June 1884. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1889/268. Suppoting Papers #B69.30.
10 Hamilton Maori Land plan 3416(2). Suppoting Papers #N126.
New Zealand Gazette 1884 pages 2222–2224. Supporting Papers #W17.4–6.
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