Ohinemuri District: Ohinemuri 17

Mair was informed, and he replied that

I have informed the natives as you advise. They think they have a grievance now that the Crown will not purchase.32

The Crown's response seems to have encouraged a letter to the Minister of Lands by Te Tahana Potiki offering to sell 3200 acres of Ohinemuri 17.33 There was also a letter from Piahana Honana and 19 others offering the block, and explaining that

It is of no use to us as a place of residence, whereas it would be valuable to the Government as a mining district, and there are already a number of claims upon it.

The price we ask is 7/6d per acre.34

The Mining Warden at Thames was asked if

there are any good reasons from a G.F. point of view why this reserve should be purchased by Government. You may not be aware there is a large class of landless natives springing up in the N.I., and that there is a considerable amount of responsibility incurred in purchasing reserves.35

He replied that

I have made enquiries about this reserve. The land is poor and not much good for cultivation, nor would it be at present, as far as I can gather, of much use for goldmining, though it might be valuable later on. Looking at it from a purely mining point of view, I think there is no pressing need for the purchase.36

With that assessment, no further interest in acquiring Ngatitamatera Reserve was shown at that time.

Partitioning of Ngatitamatera Reserve

In July 1897 there was a further partition, when a portion of the 300 acre block was cut out, in

order to separately define the interests of two of the owners. This portion, of 159 acres 3 roods 19 perches, was awarded to Haora Tareranui and Aihe Pepene, and given the appellation Section 3A Block XIII Ohinemuri Survey District and Section 1A Block XIV Ohinemuri Survey District.37 Again, the rest of the reserve remained in a single Order, awarded to 180 owners.38

Purchase of Interests in Ngatitamatera Reserve by the Crown

James Mackay had been appointed to report on the willingness of the owners to sell blocks in the Hauraki district to the Crown under the Maori Land Settlement Act 1905. During these

32 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 10 October 1895, on cover sheet to file NLP 1895/337. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1895/444. Supporting Papers #B106.6.

33 Te Tahana Potiki, Cabbage Bay, to Minister of Lands, 14 October 1895. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1895/444. Supporting Papers #B106.7–8.

34 Piahana Honana and 19 others, Paeroa, to Government, 26 October 1895. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1895/444. Supporting Papers #B106.9–11.

35 Chief Land Purchase Officer to Mining Warden Thames, 4 February 1896, on Registrar Native Land Court Auckland to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 27 November 1895. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1895/444. Supporting Papers #B106.12–14.

36 Mining Warden Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 17 February 1896. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1895/444. Supporting Papers #B106.15.

37 Hauraki Minute Book 45 pages 162 and 179. Supporting Papers #J52.25 and 26.

38 Hauraki Minute Book 45 pages 162 and 179–185. Supporting Papers #J52.25 and 26–32.

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