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

Hauhaupounamu—the line to which Ngati Hako objected—but they would not consent to the survey of the Ngati Paoa portion to be given up for raihana until this had been done. Wilkinson reported:

[N]ow that the Ngatihako obstruction has been removed, the Ngatipaoa themselves block the way. ... this opposition ... is set up by a section of his [Te Whetuiti's] people who have during the last few years turned Hau Haus or Kingites, and who, under their leaders of opinion Tiwai and Horomona Mahoetahi have always tried to obstruct or stave off any progressive works such as surveys etc in connexion with their lands. Their obstruction however was never considered to be of a very formidable nature, their great stronghold in connexion with the Piako survey being the more formidable opposition of the erstwhile violent and discontented Ngatihako. So long as that remained in force they left their obstruction partially in the background. Now that the Ngatihako objection is done away with and there is a chance of the work being completed, they come to the front again with the intention of still further delaying matters if they can.108

The completion of the Piako purchase continued to elude the Government which decided to allow the matter to drop until Maori were brought to a more amenable frame of mind by economic necessity, and made 'humble supplication for the work to be done.'109

In 1885 Ngati Maru submitted their claim to a portion of the Piako block but 'would not go beyond asking the court to refix their southern boundary line.' On the court refusing to make an order in favour of their interests to the north of the line, Ngati Maru withdrew their claim admitting that 'all they wanted was to get their portion separated from that of Ngatipoura [sic] so as to get the govt proclamation removed from it'. Neither Ngati Hako nor Ngati Paoa had made an application, or had agreed to the survey of their land. Sheridan advised Lewis, 'we had better appear indifferent for a time respecting Piako. The Natives will then perhaps put it through court thinking we are asleep.'110 The matter largely rested there until 1888 when the Government once again returned to the purchase of this last extensive territory remaining to the Hauraki tribes.

The failure of Ballance's 1886 land policy initiatives, and the coming to power of a new Government under Atkinson was followed by a revival of efforts to have the Crown's purchase in the Piako area defined. In 1888 T.S. Lewis, Native Under Secretary, raised the question with his new Minister:

It is extremely desirable that the large block of land known as the Waitoa and Piako comprising about 200,000 acres and which for many years has been included in the Returns of the Land Purchase Department as land under negotiation, should be passed through the Court, and the interests of the Crown defined.

Arguing that the Government had received little return for the £22,000 paid out (including a commission to Mackay of £2,500), Lewis noted that Maori continued to occupy the Piako lands as if they had never been sold:

Probably its greatest value is on account of the gum deposits, the extent of which I can form no opinion except that I Notice marks of gum digging in many parts of the Block—as the

108 Wilkinson to Under Secretary Native Department, 29 October 1883. NO 83/3484 in ibid. Doc. 4, pp. 34–35.

109 Gill memo. to Native Minister, 18.12.83, on cover sheet NO 83/3484. Ibid.

110 Sheridan minute to Lewis, 16.7.85, on cover sheet NLP 85/192 in ibid.

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