Figure 85: Te Aroha, circa 1920

had offered for sale to the Crown Te Kawana reserve (250 acres), which had been awarded to him solely. Aperahama was told that his land was not required by the Government, and in April 1880 he agreed to sell to some Pakeha purchasers for £1200 but had to apply to have the restrictions on sale removed. This was declined, as were further applications in 1881 and 1885, although he was told that the Native Land Disposition Bill, then before Parliament, would enable restrictions to be removed to complete the sale. In 1881, Aperahama was heavily in debt and needed the money. The purchasers had paid £900 but the balance would not be paid until the sale was completed.⁵⁷

In November 1880, Wilkinson opposed the removal of restrictions on alienation of the Te Aroha block reserves because they were intended for Maori use and occupation and he wanted to prevent Pakeha speculators moving in:

the flat land suitable for cultivation owned by the natives is not of large extent, and that as the Goldfield at Te Aroha is but newly opened, it is not possible to tell at present upon which portion of the Block the permanent Township is likely to be, and should this proposed

57.Document A10, pt 3, pp 200-201