THE CROWN, THE TREATY, AND THE HAURAKI TRIBES, 1880-1980

because the Crown already had the mineral rights, stating: 'The Official Assignee does not seem to be aware of the fact that the Crown has acquired the right to mine on this block. The price he seeks ... is out of all reason.'" Ten shillings was offered instead. By 1895 the Crown had managed to purchase four and a half out of the seven shares within the block and applied to have its interest defined. This was judged to comprise 706 acres, and the boundaries drawn to include the site of a timber mill and the gravel deposits at Pukewhau Creek, leaving the non-sellers 392 acres.62

Moehau no. 4

The secondary place of Maori within the thinking of the Government was most clearly demonstrated at Moehau no. 4, where the Crown decided to withdraw from the 1862 Tokatea gold field cession by which some right-holders were paid an annual rent of Lsoo. These terms were no longer advantageous to the Government now that there were few miners left on the block. The power to change the arrangements for the block was used by the Government's agents as a means to promote the purchase of the freehold, and the course of the acquisition was punctuated by coercive and manipulative tactics just as the original opening had been characterised by coercive and divisive dealings.

Crown acquisition of the freehold of the block was initiated in the 187os. Moehau no. 4 was included in the 1878 gazetting of blocks in the Hauraki district for which the Government had paid money and entered into negotiation for purchase. However, the nature of that supposed interest was unclear, apparently being derived from taking over two private agreements for the district." In the meantime, payment of the rent was suspended (from June 1878) pending the investigation of title, a challenge being mounted to the status quo which had been created by the Government and confirmed by its distribution of gold field rents. The case dragged on until 1882, when the Court finally admitted more people into the title." In the preceding year, the Crown's interest in Moehau no. 4 had come under scrutiny, the question arising whether the Government should maintain its claim against the block. The matter was still undecided when the block finally passed through the court. By this stage, £2,000 was owed to Maori, and Frederick Whitaker (Attorney General) wired Bryce urging purchase action:

Are you proclaiming Tokatea block? Desirable should be no delay. There is I believe a

considerable sum in rent belonging to Maori owners of block, three fifths of which awarded

by Court to two natives who are entitled to a considerable sum, and want an advance of one

hundred pounds each. I believe it would be well to purchase freehold as it would save a

considerable annual sum. ... The principal owners are here now and want to know what is

the Government interest.65

Bryce instructed that the 'advance' could be given, followed by proclamation, and Alexander points out that 'despite the £200 paid by the Crown being rent owed by the

61 File Note by Native Minister, 18 July 1891. Ibid., p. 24.

62 See ibid., p. 220.

63 See ibid., pp. 89-90.

64 For discussion, see ibid., pp. 87-89.

65 Whitaker to Native Minister, 1 February 1882. MA 13/296. Cited in ibid., p. 90.

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