No. 5.
Memorandum by Mr. Mackay on the Lighthouse Reserve Question.

With reference to the boundary of the Pilot Station Reserve at Taiaroa Heads, and the claim made for payment for Pukekura by the Natives, on inquiring I do not find either of these questions have any foundation. In the first place, the line on which the Government have erected the boundary fence corresponds as nearly with the description given in the deed of sale as it is possible to make it: the boundaries, as described in the deed, are at Waiwakaheke on the one side, and Pukekura on the other.

2.

Their claim to Pukekura is a mere pretext; there cannot be the least doubt that it was included in the sale to the Company, or why should an acre have been exempted for Native purposes? Moreover, the boundaries of the purchase are so clearly defined, that no doubt can exist on that point. The deed recites, "The northern boundary line commences at Purehurehu, runs along the sea shore; crossing the entrance of Otakou Harbour to Otupa (the point on where the lighthouse now stands); thence along the Coast to Poatiri; the eastern boundary is the ocean from Poatiri to Tokata (near the Molyneux); then the southern boundary commences." The cession of Pukekura is moreover confirmed by old Karetai's letter of 10th August, 1854, in which he admits that Pukekura belongs to the Queen, and fixes the boundary as Tai-Kore-Kore, as shown by Mr. Mantell; his only complaint is that Waiari, the land of his children, is about to be taken from him in error by the Pakeha. The plea now brought forward by the Natives, is that although Pukekura is included in the deed of sale, it was never paid for, and it was only made over to the Queen on the understanding that payment was to be made for it at some future time. There is no allusion made in Captain Symonds' correspondence respecting the purchase of the Otakou page break page break page 199Block that would give the least colouring of truth to this assertion, and the conclusion to be inferred is that it is merely an impudent attempt to gain money.

In a recent notice received from the Native Lands Court, setting forth the date of sitting of the Court at Christchurch and Dunedin, I notice amongst their claims they have sent in one for Pukekura; this claim can easily be disposed of when the time arrives.^*

Respecting the acre they are entitled to at Pukekura, it is difficult to define its precise position; the posts alluded to in the deed as forming the boundaries of it were old watta posts (not survey posts) which have long since disappeared, and no satisfactory information can be gained as to where they actually stood. The Natives are evidently bent on securing the site on which the Pilot Station stands; but if the block coloured yellow on the tracing copied from Parliamentary Papers, No. 45, 369, p. 54, is taken as the approximate position of the said acre, its position will be very near the spot indicated in the tracing herewith attached.