THE CROWN, THE TREATY, AND THE HAURAKI TRIBES, 1880-1980
Maru, Ngati Whanaunga, and Ngati Paoa were stated as having interests in the area. Ngati Kea were also admitted, while an objection from Paora Tuinga that Ngati Hako had been omitted was met with reassurances that they came in under the aegis of Ngati Paoa.125 The general boundaries were then described as they lay between Ngati Paoa, Ngati Maru, and Ngati Hako, who challenged where Maru proposed to take their line. Ngati Paoa representatives then gave the names of grantees of the blocks which would transfer to the Government. On survey being completed, orders would issue to the Crown and the proclamation prohibiting individual purchase within Piako could be lifted.126
The Government could not be sure that ownership of the first major Piako blocks on the west side of the river would transfer to them until the lines were cut on the ground. The survey of Kopuatai went smoothly, but problems soon surfaced at Pukorokoro where Government survey lines came into conflict with Maori expectations that a reserve of some 7,000 acres would be set aside within the confiscation lands, according to Pollen's promise to Tarapipipi in 1870.127 Trouble next broke out at Kerepehi, where the Government attempted to erect a trig. station which would cover some 300,000 acres of land. Cheal reported that all the leading chiefs with interests in the region—Taipari, Hone Nahe, Nikorima, Ngakopa, Wiri Kerei (Te Whetuiti), and local leader, Ngamuka Ripikoi who had originally led the obstruction—were in favour of the triangulation going ahead, but that trouble continued. Obstruction was now led by the wife and two daughters of Ripikoi. Cheal blamed a small group who had been followers of Horomona before his death, but warned that the disaffection was spreading:
The persistent obstruction is having a bad effect. Waitakauru natives are watching my efforts with Kerepehi and the Ngati Hako have pulled down my station at Waitoki although it is the site of previous trig. points and had been up for 3 months.128
He requested that constables be stationed there, and when told that Wilkinson would visit the district in June, stressed that immediate, strong, action was required: 'Delays are always dangerous especially so in the case of natives. [I]f they are not 'fixed up' promptly and sharply it is like a leak in an embankment which for want of prompt measures becomes unmanageable.' Cheal argued that a strong course was especially required at Kerepehi where the absence of a chief meant that 'everyone residing there believe[d] he [had] the right to do as he like[d] in a free country.'129 As a result of these representations, Cheal was given authority to arrange police assistance and to prosecute any persons obstructing survey."°
Later in the year the King party became directly involved in the Piako obstruction as Tawhiao claimed responsibility for the Hauraki lands which had been placed in Potatau's hands for his safekeeping, and attempted to raise the issue of the war with the
125 Ibid., pp. 44-45. Doc. 4, pp. 87-88.
126 See NLC minutes, 6 May 1889 in ibid., p. 47. Doc. 4, p. 90.
127 See discussion above.
128 Cheal to Native Minister, 27 May 1890. NLP 90/169 in MA 13/64 (b).
129 Ibid.
130 See minutes, 31.5.90, on Cheal to Native Minister, 27 May 1890. In ibid.
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