[i roto i te reo Māori]

K.—Murihiku Purchase.

The tract of country comprised within this block included all the southern part of the South Island to the south of Kemp's and Symonds's purchases. The negotiations for the purchase were completed on the 17th August, 1853, for the sum of £2,600, after considerable difficulty, occasioned by the increased demands of the Natives, caused by the district being partly occupied by squatters, who had been endeavouring to allure the Natives with the offer of high rents not to sell their land to Government. The importance, therefore, of putting an end to this illegal state of affairs rendered the immediate acquisition of the country an object of paramount necessity.

Reserves for the Natives were made at the following places within the boundaries of the purchase. viz. Tuturau Omaui, One, Aparima, Oraka, Kawakaputaputa, and Onetota.