No. 8.
Lieut-Colonel McDonnell to Major Green.
Sir,—
Having been requested by the Hon. Sir Donald McLean to send in an account of the different blocks of land North that I have been dealing for, I have the honor to forward the enclosed list of lands, with the advances that have been made upon them, which, I think, will be found to be correct.
With respect to the disputes about Otangaroa and thePatoa Blocks, I have the honor to state the following:—
On my arrival at Whangaroa, Mr. Clark, the surveyor, informed me he had been cautioned by Mr. Kelly not to survey Otangaroa and Patoa, as the natives had told him that any one surveying these lands would be shot; but Mr. Clark told me that such could not be the case, as Mr. Kelly was negotiating the same lands, for private parties. Before I left Whangaroa, a Mr. Simpson called upon me to say he had been sent by Mr. Kelly to survey these lands, and he showed me letters that he said were from Mr. Kelly to the natives. I feel myself Convinced that no opposition would have been offered to the survey unless the natives had thought, or had been led to suppose, they would get a better price than that offered by the Government.
I requested Mr. Simpson to return, and not attempt to survey the lands in question; and I left Whangaroa under the impression that the surveys for the Government would not be interferred with.
There are other blocks of land beside those mentioned by me that are being negotiated for by Mr. Brissenden and Mr. Charles Nelson, concerning a few of which I have had something to do, but I have on this paper confined myself to those blocks in which I was directly concerned.
I have, &c.,
Thos. McDonnell,
Land Purchase Officer.
For remarks, see paper attached to this list of lands marked A.
Names of Blocks in Treaty for | Acres. | Advances. | Price per Acre. |
Pekapekarau | 5,025 | £375 | 2s. 6d. and 1s. 3d. |
Wharekahakaha | 2,520 | 70 | 2s. 6d. and 1s. 3d. |
Opouteke, about | 12,000 | 100 | 2s. 6d. and 1s. 3d. |
One (Baker's claim in two blocks) | 5,968 | 160 | |
Tatamoe and Kairara include about | 40,000 | 235 | 1s. 3d. |
Totarapoka and Tai Matue | |||
Waoku | 17,650 | 390 | 1s. 5d. |
Waoku | Not surveyed | 5 | 1s. 5d. |
Kahumaku | " " | 50 | 1s. 5d. |
Waimatami | " " | 25 | 1s. 3d. |
Waihoanga | 1,380 | 20 | 1s. |
Waitaroto | 7,590 | 250 | 1s. 9d. |
Mataki | Not surveyed | 50 | 1s. |
Wharoro | 830 | 15 | 1s. 6d. |
Ararua | 3,100 | 15 | Ls. 6d. |
Okaka | Not surveyed | 25 | 1s. 6d. |
Mangataraire | 1,690 | 25? | 1s. 6d. |
Waihoanga | Not surveyed | 15 | 1s. |
Puwhata | Surveyed but area not Known | 125 | 2s. 4d. |
Te Uwhiroa | Surveyed but area not Known | 195 | 2s. 4d. |
Taketure | Surveyed but area not Known | 490 | 2s. 4d. |
Te Tauroa | Not surveyed | 50 | 4d. |
Orowhana | " " | 66 | 3s |
Te Huia | 4,000 | 10 | Not finally arranged. |
Ureuhia | 6,000 | 20 | Not finally arranged. |
Opuhiti | 2,000 | 10 | Not finally arranged. |
Waitapu | 150 | 10 | Not finally arranged. |
Mokau | 1,500 | 20 | 2s. 6d. |
Te Patoa | Not known | ||
Otangaroa | " " |
A.—Pekapekarau, Whaeekahakaha, and Opouteke.
The 2s. 6d. per acre for these lands belong to the first arrangement agreed to; and the money advanced, with a trifling addition, is to be expended at that rate; but the remaining acres are to be at the rate of 1s. 3d. per acre.
One (Rev.—Baker's claim), comprised in two blocks, has been arranged for the sum of £160; I had much difficulty in settling this long-vexed and old Native land claim. I had to make presents to individuals, but these are included in the sum I have mentioned. One contains some very fine well-watered land, suitable for settlement.
page 47Tutamoe and Kairara Blocks contain and include the blocks Taimahue and Totarapoka. The two Last mentioned blocks have also been reduced in price, from 2s. and 2s. 6d. per acre to 1s. 3d. per acre; but the money given in advance on these two blocks (£40) is to be expended on the land, at the old rate of 2s. and 2s. 6d. per acre. With this trifling exception, the price for the whole is arranged for 1s. 3d. per acre. The land is now being surveyed.
Thos. McDonnell,
Land Purchase Agent.