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An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand
Description
Description.
Opou Block.
Opou Block contains 985 acres, principally stunted fern with a few patches of forest. The soil is inferior in quality, and the land is undulating. The position of this block adds to its value, being situated between the Oruawharo and Tauhoa rivers, the Oruawharo having deep water for several miles inland of Opou, and vessels of 50 tons may approach the land by the Tauhoa River. It adjoins the Oruawharo Block, which has been purchased at the rate of 8d. an acre, but owing to the number of claimants, and the comparative small size of the block, I think it probable that the Natives will not be induced to accept less than £100 for this purchase, which will be at the rate of about 2s. an acre.
Kaikai.
Kaikai contains 2230 acres of hilly land, one half of which is covered with kauri forest, the other half is open fern land. A belt of land along the Kaukapakapa River is a rich alluvial soil. This land adjoins the Kaukapakapa West, which is now occupied by settlers; it was purchased for 1s. an acre, and as this block is better situated as regards water carriage, I consider it is well worth 2s. an acre.
Okaka.
Contains 1851 acres, consisting of Tupakihi scrub, high fern, swamp, and sand hills. It is situated at the South head of Kaipara Harbour, and adjoins the Whiritoa.
Whiritoa.
Contains 1,558 acres, one-third of which is good fern land, a portion is swampy, the remainder is sand. It is situated south of Okaka. These two blocks were included in a number of others which have lately been purchased. The uniform price of 1s. an acre was fixed by the Government, but the Natives would not agree to the price for these two pieces of land. There is now a letter in the Native Office from Keene, offering to accept 1s. 6d. an acre, and I submit that, as the Natives have reduced their price from 3s. to 1s. 6d., and as it is really important to have the south head as a pilot station, it is desirable to purchase these blocks at the price asked, i.e., 1s. 6d.
Whakapirau.
Whakapirau contains 3,600 acres. Nearly the whole of this block is good forest land; the open land is rich dark clay soil, covered with fern and scrub. It is bounded on the north by Whakapirau, on the east by Arapaoa, and on the south by Kokorako. There is deep water frontage to this land, where vessels of 600 tons may anchor in perfect safety. I consider this land is worth 2s. 6d. an acre in relation to the price given for other blocks.
Matawhere.
Matawhero is about 5,500 acres. A great portion of this block is hilly, four - fifths is open of average quality, the remainder is kauri forest. Situated on the Kaipara Harbour, with deep water frontage, between the Omokoriki and Kaukabakaha Blocks, within twenty-seven miles of Auckland. The Natives have lately differed among themselves, and it is not necessary to determine the price until the Natives are disposed to treat for it.
Maungaturoto.
Contains 6,815 acres of excellent level open forest land, with three small patches of manuka scrub and toitoi; accessible, having water communication by the Wairau. It is probable the Natives will expect 1s. 6d. an acre for this block.
Piroa.
Contains 9,200 acres (see my report in reference to Arama Karaka's dispute) hilly forest land, of average quality. Situated between the Aparoa, Waipu, and Maungaturoto Blocks, and Wright and Graham's claim. There appears to me no necessity to fix a price for this block at present.
Waiherunga.
Contains 2,884 acres. One-half is good open land, or quarter barren, and one-fourth white sand hills. Situated on the Kaihuru River, between the Waioneke and Mairetahi Blocks. 1s. 6d. an acre would be ample for this piece.
Hikurangi.
The Hikurangi Block contains 12,000 acres of land of fair average quality, nearly two-thirds of which is hilly and covered with forest, a portion of which is kauri and kahikatea. One-third is composed of open fern land and swamp. This block adjoins and is situated on the north side of Kaurihohore Block, and is about eight miles distant from the European settlement at the head of the Whangarei river.
Ruatangata Block.
Ruatangata contains 5,450 acres, a small portion of which is good volcanic land, the remainder is of inferior quality, about one-half of which is covered with forest of general description. The other portion is almost barren, having a tough upper soil of about five inches in depth, with white and light yellow clay subsoil, covered with rushes and short fern. This block is for the most part extremely damp during the greater part of the year. It is situated about four miles to the north-west of Mair's claim. It is accessible by a good level track through forest, passing the Native settlement at kotinikau
Miro Whakatiki
Contains 5,500 acres of land, one-half of which is of good quality, principally volcanic, covered with forest. The other part is white clay, inferior in quality, and covered with rushes and short fern and raupo, a considerable portion of which is swampy. It adjoins the Ruatangata Block. I think an uniform price of 1s. for these three blocks would be ample.
Omokoriki
Contains 35,000 acres. Nearly the whole of this block is covered with forest, comprising a considerable quantity of kauri. The greater part of this land is good, 3,000 acres of first class alluvial fern and flat land. Hilly, situated inland of Mahurangi, Whangarei, Waikau, and Whanui. (See Mr. Johnson's report.)
John Rogan,
District Commissioner.