It is difficult to come to any firm conclusion as to the grounds on which the reserves were allocated, given that Clarke classed Katikati-Te Puna reserves differently from other areas set aside in the confiscated district, yet did not explain the source of that difference. However, although Clarke did not state it outright, the extent of alienation restrictions placed on the reserves pointed to the probable reasons that influenced the award of land. Reserves granted with title in one or two names were likely to be compensation for either loyalty or the loss of land in the confiscated block. The allocation of reserves to individuals with Ngati Tapu affiliations illustrates this point. Ngati Tapu had interests from Maenene to Te Papa, in the 50,000 block kept by the Crown.³³ Simon Hedley, in a report written on behalf of Ngati Tapu, has identified nine reserves that were granted to individuals with Ngati Tapu affiliations in the Katikati-Te Puna block.³⁴ Similarly, a number of the reserves vested in trust for a hapu were allocated ‘returned rebels’. For example, Ngai Tamawhariua, who helped to construct Gate Pa, were awarded land in trust in the Parish of Tahawai while Ngai Tuwhiwhia were awarded four allotments covering 500 acres in the Parish of Te Mania.³⁵

Most of the reserves were surveyed in 1867, but the Crown grants confirming their ownership were still not ready when Governor Bowen visited the area in June 1868. Clarke alluded to this oversight on two separate occasions. In 1879 he mentioned that at the time of the visit local Maori had been anxious to receive their grants but did not elaborate any further.³⁶ Clarke had actually explained the situation more fully two years earlier. In 1877, he told the Native Affairs Committee that:

in June 1868, when Sir George Ferguson Bowen, who was then Governor, visited Tauranga at his very first meeting with the Natives on the Beach a [—] was made on him for the issue of Crown Grants for these very reserves. They said “We have sold you our land and made certain reserves; we want to deal with them”. A promise was then made that Crown grants should be issued. I received instructions from Mr Richmond to have these Crown Grants prepared. Mr Skeet, now Government Surveyor at Taranaki was ordered to draft these Crown Grants. The surveys had been already made and the maps complete, and there was nothing to do but to issue these Crown Grants. These were prepared at once and issued. In making these Crown

³³ Stokes, The Allocation of Reserves, vol. 1, p. 61, fig. 10.

³⁴ Simon Hedley, ‘Ngati Tapu Lands Claim: Ngati Tapu Historical Report’, Waitangi Tribunal, April 2000, pp. 77, 88-90.

³⁵ Stokes, Te Raupatu, vol. 1, pp. 33, 36.

³⁶ H. T. Clarke, 12 November 1879 Tauranga Minute Book (TMB) 1, p. 226.