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No. 6.
Memorandum by C. Heaphy, Esq.,
Provincial Surveyor.
Island of Motu Tapere.
This island lies in the gulf of the Thames, outside, and about half a mile to the N.W. of the North Head of Coromandel Harbour. It is steep, and closely covered with scrub, and is not adapted for European settlement. It forms a convenient haven for coasters and canoes, and perhaps might be adapted for a small fishing station. It is not improbable that at some future period a light-station may be required on it. I do not know of any indication of metals ever having been found upon the Island.
Motu Tapere was purchased from the Natives whose names are Arakuri, Te Aumarere, Te Tawaroa, by Mr. William Webster, on the 10th November, 1838, and goods to the value of £41 were alleged to have been given.
The claim (305) came before Mr. Commissioner Godfrey on the 17th June, 1844, but owing to the claimant having received the maximum quantity of land which it was legal for him to receive, under other claims, "No grant" was recommended, and the claim withdrawn.
The Natives of the tribe to which the sellers belonged now assert that although the island was intended to be sold, the full amount of payment was never made.
Ara Kuri is now alive. Pita, the chief of the Patukirikiri tribe, is the grandson of Tawaroa, and the successor of Te Aumarere.
The island is estimated to contain (40) Forty acres.
Charles Heaphy,
Surveyor.
This land being nominally in the hands of the General Government, at least being entirely at the disposal of the General Government, except that the Native title has not been quite extinguished, I submit that it should be reserved for the tribe who have still a part claim to it, and that a map of it should be prepared, and handed to the Native Chief Pita Taukaka, as trustee for the Patukirikiri tribe. The reasons assigned for reserving this island are so forcibly expressed by Mr. Preece that it appears unnecessary to advance further arguments in support of it.
Donald McLean.
14th October 1857.