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Port Molyneux : the story of Maori and pakeha in South Otago : a centennial history : commemorating the landing of George Willsher and his companions at Willsher Bay, June 28, 1840 : with a programme for the unveiling of the centennial cairn, erected by the Clutha County Council, June 28, 1940

As King He Sells The South Island

As King He Sells The South Island.

As a sample of Tuhawaiki's salesmanship, and the skill of the Sydney lawyers in drafting a comprehensive description of property, the Wentworth claim supplies a good example.

On the 15th day of February, 1840, an indenture was signed showing that “John Towack King and Chief of Tavai Poenammoo or Kaikaldu being the Middle of the Group of Islands called New Zealand and also of the Southern Island of the same Group called Stewarts Island Jackey White, Kaikoraira, Tuckawa, Tyroa and Bogener Chiefs of Otago in the said Island of Tavai Poenammoo Tohowack, Patuckie or Tobie Chiefs of the Island of Tobuchi” sold the South Island and Stewart Island to Wentworth and John Jones, both of Sydney.

The lands are described as “the aforesaid Island of Tavai Poenammoo or Kaikaldu also called the Middle Island of New Zealand also the Island called Stewarts Island and all and singular the Islands Islets Rocks and Reefs thereto adjacent or appertaining situate between the degrees of Forty and Forty nine degrees South Latitude and One hundred and sixty five and One hundred and seventy six degrees of East Longitude Together with all seas harbours coasts bays Inlets rivers Lakes, Waters Mines Minerals Fisheries Woods Forests Liberties Franchises profits emoluments advantages hereditaments rights members and appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging or in anywise appertaining and the reversions and remainders yearly and other rents issues and profits thereof and all the estate right title interest use trust possession inheritance claim or demand whatsoever both at law or in equity of them.”

page 40

The purchase money was partly by straightout cash payments and by annuities in addition. Tuhawaiki signed for “one hundred pounds of lawful British money and an annuity of fifty pounds a year during the term of his natural life,” while the others got lesser amounts, each receiving twenty pounds in cash and ten pounds a year for life.

From other sources we learn that Tuhawaiki was accompanied by Jackey White (Karetai) and three subordinate chiefs. As this deed was “Signed sealed and delivered by the said John Towack, Jackey White, Kaikoraira, Tuckawa, Bogener, and Tohowack,” the first five names would most likely be the visitors to Sydney.

The signatures of Taiaroa and Topi Patuki were witnessed separately, which indicates that they may have signed at a different time.