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No. 35.
James Mackay, Jun., to the Agent, General Government, Auckland.
Coromandel and Hauraki.—Forwarding Return of Lands purchased.
New Zealand Native Land Agency,
Auckland
24th, March, 1873.
Sir,—
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 5th instant, requesting me to furnish a return of Native lands purchased by me, or under negotiation for purchase under the 34th section of "The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870." I now beg to transmit the information required under the following heads, viz.:—
Return No. 1. "Blocks, the purchase of which has been completed;"
Return No. 2. "Blocks for which negotiations are concluded, but deeds not executed."
Return No. 3. "Blocks under negotiation, but price not finally arranged."
Owing to my absence from the Thames, at Whangamata and Tauranga, I did not receive your instructions until the 14th instant, and as it has taken all my time since to compile the returns, I have been unable as yet to make the sketch map of the various blocks as called for by the Hon. Mr. McLean, but hasten to transmit the returns at once, and will furnish a map in the course of a few days.
I have, &c.,
James Mackay, junr.,
Agent for Native Land
Purchases, Immigration and Public Works Act.
Enclosure 1.
Return No. 1.
| Name of Block. | Area. | Price. | Remarks. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acres. | £. | s. | d. | ||
| Otama East | 1,217 | 32 | 0 | 0 | Part of this purchase money charged against O'Keefe's lien. Gives access from the sea to land owned by the Crown, known as Ototoro. Land reported to be auriferous. |
| Otama West | 1,298 | 100 | 0 | 0 | Part of this purchase money charged against O'Keefe's lien. Gives access from the sea to land owned by the Crown, known as Ototoro. Land reported to be auriferous. |
| Hihi and Pirinui | 6,755 | 715 | 0 | 0 | This gives the Government access to the Tairua Block from Shortland. |
| Hotoritori | 523 | 100 | 0 | 0 | Purchased as being within Waiwhakaurunga Block, and being the means of buying the remainder (15,000 acres). Valuable from proximity to Shortland, and being within proclaimed goldfield. |
| Opango | 1,000 | 103 | 0 | 0 | Purchased as being within Waiwhakaurunga Block, and being the means of buying the remainder (15,000 acres). Valuable from proximity to Shortland, and being within proclaimed goldfield. |
| Taranoho | 3,796 | 380 | 0 | 0 | Adjoins lands already purchased for the Crown at Mercury Bay. Is believed to be auriferous. |
| Te Koro, No. 1 | 1,270 | 100 | 0 | 0 | Adjoins Whenuakite (Government land), and gives access to the sea to the eastward. Gold has been found in these blocks. Not yet included in Gold-mining District. Reason of delay in proclamation is the non-completion of survey of the Wharekawa Block (purchase negotiated, vide Return No. 2.) Wharekawa separates these blocks from the Whangamata Block. Some land available for cultivation on these blocks. A reserve of one thousand acres, to be selected in one or two blocks, is to be made at Tairua, and a grant issued for the same to the owners as arranged by the Native Land Court. |
| " No. 2 | 100 | 25 | 0 | 0 | Adjoins Whenuakite (Government land), and gives access to the sea to the eastward. Gold has been found in these blocks. Not yet included in Gold-mining District. Reason of delay in proclamation is the non-completion of survey of the Wharekawa Block (purchase negotiated, vide Return No. 2.) Wharekawa separates these blocks from the Whangamata Block. Some land available for cultivation on these blocks. A reserve of one thousand acres, to be selected in one or two blocks, is to be made at Tairua, and a grant issued for the same to the owners as arranged by the Native Land Court. |
| Tairua | 36,000 | 2,900 | 0 | 0 | Adjoins Whenuakite (Government land), and gives access to the sea to the eastward. Gold has been found in these blocks. Not yet included in Gold-mining District. Reason of delay in proclamation is the non-completion of survey of the Wharekawa Block (purchase negotiated, vide Return No. 2.) Wharekawa separates these blocks from the Whangamata Block. Some land available for cultivation on these blocks. A reserve of one thousand acres, to be selected in one or two blocks, is to be made at Tairua, and a grant issued for the same to the owners as arranged by the Native Land Court. |
| Whangamata, No. 1 | 8,280 | 1,200 | 0 | 0 | All these blocks have been included within the Hauraki, Gold Mining District. It was an urgent necessity to complete the purchase of these as soon as possible, as a number of miners had taken possession of the country, asserting it to be highly auriferous, and there was every probability of a political difficulty arising by collision with the Ohinemuri Natives. Under these circumstances, the persons who had been declared to be the owners of the land by the Native Land Court believed it to be very valuable, and made most extortionate demands for their interest in it; the amount asked being at the rate of 27s. 6d. per acre, and consequently more had to be paid than under ordinary circumstances. When, however, the area of these is added to that of the adjacent Tairua Te Koro and Wharekawa Blocks (for latter, vide Return No. 2) the average rate will be 2s. 6d. per acre. A reserve of one hundred and fifty acres is to be made in the Omahu Block, and one of one hundred acres in the Whangamata Block No. 1, and grants to be issued for the same to Ngakapa Whanaunga and Hone Mahia respectively. |
| " No. 3 | 8,210 | 2,465 | 0 | 0 | All these blocks have been included within the Hauraki, Gold Mining District. It was an urgent necessity to complete the purchase of these as soon as possible, as a number of miners had taken possession of the country, asserting it to be highly auriferous, and there was every probability of a political difficulty arising by collision with the Ohinemuri Natives. Under these circumstances, the persons who had been declared to be the owners of the land by the Native Land Court believed it to be very valuable, and made most extortionate demands for their interest in it; the amount asked being at the rate of 27s. 6d. per acre, and consequently more had to be paid than under ordinary circumstances. When, however, the area of these is added to that of the adjacent Tairua Te Koro and Wharekawa Blocks (for latter, vide Return No. 2) the average rate will be 2s. 6d. per acre. A reserve of one hundred and fifty acres is to be made in the Omahu Block, and one of one hundred acres in the Whangamata Block No. 1, and grants to be issued for the same to Ngakapa Whanaunga and Hone Mahia respectively. |
| " No. 5 | 5,889 | 1,402 | 0 | 0 | All these blocks have been included within the Hauraki, Gold Mining District. It was an urgent necessity to complete the purchase of these as soon as possible, as a number of miners had taken possession of the country, asserting it to be highly auriferous, and there was every probability of a political difficulty arising by collision with the Ohinemuri Natives. Under these circumstances, the persons who had been declared to be the owners of the land by the Native Land Court believed it to be very valuable, and made most extortionate demands for their interest in it; the amount asked being at the rate of 27s. 6d. per acre, and consequently more had to be paid than under ordinary circumstances. When, however, the area of these is added to that of the adjacent Tairua Te Koro and Wharekawa Blocks (for latter, vide Return No. 2) the average rate will be 2s. 6d. per acre. A reserve of one hundred and fifty acres is to be made in the Omahu Block, and one of one hundred acres in the Whangamata Block No. 1, and grants to be issued for the same to Ngakapa Whanaunga and Hone Mahia respectively. |
| Hikutaia, No. 2 | 2,376 | 763 | 0 | 0 | All these blocks have been included within the Hauraki, Gold Mining District. It was an urgent necessity to complete the purchase of these as soon as possible, as a number of miners had taken possession of the country, asserting it to be highly auriferous, and there was every probability of a political difficulty arising by collision with the Ohinemuri Natives. Under these circumstances, the persons who had been declared to be the owners of the land by the Native Land Court believed it to be very valuable, and made most extortionate demands for their interest in it; the amount asked being at the rate of 27s. 6d. per acre, and consequently more had to be paid than under ordinary circumstances. When, however, the area of these is added to that of the adjacent Tairua Te Koro and Wharekawa Blocks (for latter, vide Return No. 2) the average rate will be 2s. 6d. per acre. A reserve of one hundred and fifty acres is to be made in the Omahu Block, and one of one hundred acres in the Whangamata Block No. 1, and grants to be issued for the same to Ngakapa Whanaunga and Hone Mahia respectively. |
| " No. 3 | 5,445 | 1,302 | 0 | 0 | All these blocks have been included within the Hauraki, Gold Mining District. It was an urgent necessity to complete the purchase of these as soon as possible, as a number of miners had taken possession of the country, asserting it to be highly auriferous, and there was every probability of a political difficulty arising by collision with the Ohinemuri Natives. Under these circumstances, the persons who had been declared to be the owners of the land by the Native Land Court believed it to be very valuable, and made most extortionate demands for their interest in it; the amount asked being at the rate of 27s. 6d. per acre, and consequently more had to be paid than under ordinary circumstances. When, however, the area of these is added to that of the adjacent Tairua Te Koro and Wharekawa Blocks (for latter, vide Return No. 2) the average rate will be 2s. 6d. per acre. A reserve of one hundred and fifty acres is to be made in the Omahu Block, and one of one hundred acres in the Whangamata Block No. 1, and grants to be issued for the same to Ngakapa Whanaunga and Hone Mahia respectively. |
| Omahu | 7,056 | 600 | 0 | 0 | All these blocks have been included within the Hauraki, Gold Mining District. It was an urgent necessity to complete the purchase of these as soon as possible, as a number of miners had taken possession of the country, asserting it to be highly auriferous, and there was every probability of a political difficulty arising by collision with the Ohinemuri Natives. Under these circumstances, the persons who had been declared to be the owners of the land by the Native Land Court believed it to be very valuable, and made most extortionate demands for their interest in it; the amount asked being at the rate of 27s. 6d. per acre, and consequently more had to be paid than under ordinary circumstances. When, however, the area of these is added to that of the adjacent Tairua Te Koro and Wharekawa Blocks (for latter, vide Return No. 2) the average rate will be 2s. 6d. per acre. A reserve of one hundred and fifty acres is to be made in the Omahu Block, and one of one hundred acres in the Whangamata Block No. 1, and grants to be issued for the same to Ngakapa Whanaunga and Hone Mahia respectively. |
| Totals | 89,215 | 12,187 | 0 | 0 | |
Average rate, 2s. 8d. per acre.
I have, &c.,
James Mackay, jun.
24th March, 1873.
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Enclosure 2.
Enclosure 2.
Return No. 2.
| Name of Block. | Area. | Advances charged to Government, as per Vouchers furnished. | Advanced by James Mackay, jun., from Privete Funds, repayable. | Balances due exclusive of advances made privately by J. Mackay, jun. | Remarks. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acres. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | ||
| Waikawau and Moehau (or Cape Colville) | 118,802 | 13,174 | 11 | 0 | 792 | 0 | 0 | 1,675 | 14 | 0 | Surveys completed. The only question delaying the execution of deeds is the laying-off three or four reserves. Preliminary agreement signed by a majority of the owners. It is proposed to complete deeds and submit to Native Land Court, in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration and Public Works Act. This purchase is intimately connected with the Ohinemuri question, the land being owned by the same tribe, and it is considered the completion of it will be an effectual blow to the anti land-selling portion of the Ngatitamatera tribe. |
| Te Weiti | 4,305 | 550 | 0 | 0 | Survey completed. Title investigated. Cause of delay in execution of deed being that a small reserve had to be surveyed; this is done. Deed can now be executed. | ||||||
| Wharekawa | 20,000 (estimated) | 220 | 0 | 0 | 280 | 0 | 0 | 1,800 | 0 | 0 | Survey in progress. Title investigated, and Interlocutory Order granted by the Native Land Court. Land chiefly hilly. Reported to be auriferous. Probable cost, 2s. per acre. |
| Rangahou | 9,132 | 785 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title investigated. Valuable from being adjacent to gold fields, and some portion auriferous. Deed partly executed. Required to procure another signature of a Native residing at Mercury Bay. | ||||||
| Waiwhakaurunga | 14,186 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 1,500 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title investigated. Valuable from being near to Shortland. Some portion auriferous. A few small farms could be laid off here. Deed can be executed as soon as a reserve is laid off. | |||
| Owhao | 311 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Valuable from its proximity to Shortland. Price arranged, 3s. 3d. per acre. | |||
| Kapowai | 8,663 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 700 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title investigated. Deed can be executed at once. | |||
| Kapowai, No. 2 | 8,000 (estimated) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 800 | 0 | 0 | Under Survey. Deed can be signed and submitted to Native Land Court, under provisions of the Immigration and Public Works Act. Price arranged, 2s. per acre, irrespective of area. | |||
| Totals | 183,399 | 14,739 | 11 | 0 | 1,212 | 0 | 0 | 6,495 | 14 | 0 | |
| £ | s. | d. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advances as per Vouchers furnished to Treasury | 14,739 | 11 | 0 |
| Balance to complete purchases | 6,495 | 14 | 0 |
| Total Cost | £21,235 | 5 | 0 |
Average Price, 2s. 3¾d. per acre.
James Mackay, jun.
24th March, 1873.
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Enclosure 3.
Enclosure 3.
Return No. 3.
| Name of Block. | Area. | Advances charged to Government, as per Vouchers furnished. | Advanced by James Mackay, jun., from Private Funds, repayable. | Remarks. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acres. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | ||
| Manaia | 5,055 | 30 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title investigated. Known to be auriferous. | |||
| Manaia, No. 2 | 1,724 | 77 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title will be investigated by Native Land Court in April next. Land of good quality. |
| Kerita | 1,098 | 74 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title will be investigated by Native Land Court in April next. Land of good quality. |
| Kennedy's Bay | 8,891 | 121 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title to the largest portion settled by Native Land Court. Authorized to be purchased at any price not exceeding five thousand pounds. |
| Ipuwhakatere | 1,015 | 175 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Ipuwhakatori Title settled by Native Land Court. Owhataroa not investigated. Valuable from proximity to Shortland. | |||
| Awhataroa | 707 | 175 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Ipuwhakatori Title settled by Native Land Court. Owhataroa not investigated. Valuable from proximity to Shortland. | |||
| Whitipirorua | 1,245 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title investigated. Hold survey lien for £65. Probable cost, 2s. 6d. per acre. Fronts Whangamata Harbour. Reported to be auriferous; from personal inspection think this is correct. |
| Matamata | 8,000 | 15 | 0 | 0 | Will shortly be surveyed. Price not to exceed three shillings per acre. Land of excellent quality. | |||
| Ohinemuri | 150,000 | 811 | 0 | 0 | 654 | 0 | 0 | The only method of completing this purchase is to buy from hapus and individuals as opportunity occurs. The purchase of the Waikawau and Cape Colville Blocks is intimately connected with this district, and has materially assisted in breaking up the anti land-selling unity of the tribe Ngatitaurotera. Probable cost, two shillings per acre. Much land of good quality in this block, irrespective of auriferous and hilly country. Know some part to be auriferous. |
| Puriri | 3,252 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Some land of excellent quality on this block; gold being at present worked on it. |
| Pukerangiora | 700 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Near Shortland. |
| Mangakirikiri, No. 1 | 1,683 | 10 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title settled by Native Land Court. Land valuable on account of its proximity to Shortland. Probable cost, 3s. per acre. Gold in the blocks. | |||
| " No. 2 | 386 | 20 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title settled by Native Land Court. Land valuable on account of its proximity to Shortland. Probable cost, 3s. per acre. Gold in the blocks. | |||
| " No. 3 | 1,673 | 15 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title settled by Native Land Court. Land valuable on account of its proximity to Shortland. Probable cost, 3s. per acre. Gold in the blocks. | |||
| Moewai, No. 2, Mercury Bay | 3,500 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 0 | Under survey. Probable cost, two shillings per acre. Position good. Gold found in immediate neighbourhood. |
| Whenuakite, No. 2 | 6,700 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title investigated by Court. Adjoins Kapowai, Tairua, Te Puia, and Karo Blocks. Purchased by Government. | |||
| Kaimarama | 8,300 | 56 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title investigated by Court. Probable cost, two shillings per acre. Adjoins Te Weiti and Matokirau Blocks. Purchased by Crown. | |||
| Omahu West | 8,000 | 100 | 10 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Part, near main road from Shortland to Hikutaia, of excellent quality. Remainder hilly and auriferous. Joins the Omahu East Block, purchased by the Crown; extending to the coast. The purchase of this will add to the Hikutaia Block, and give the Crown an unbroken piece of country from the Thames to the East Coast. |
| Runanga (Taupo District) | 5,000 | 80 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 0 | 0 | This can now probably be more easily arranged from Napier with Tohau and his party. The reason this payment was made to detach Tohau and his party from Te Hira; their taking payment for land effected that object, and was the principal reason they left Ohinemuri for Taupo. As long as they remained at the Thames they assisted the anti land-selling party to hold back Te Aroha and Ohinemuri. |
| Waiau (Coromandel) | 400 | 20 | 0 | 0 | Not surveyed. A small claim which will give a coast frontage and access to the Awakauae Block, previously purchased by the Crown. | |||
| Te Aroha | 100,000 | 285 | 0 | 0 | Survey arranged for. This block can only be purchased in the same manner as Ohinemuri, from hapus and individuals. Probable cost, two shillings per acre. Some excellent land on this block. Am personally acquainted with the fact of some portion being auriferous. | |||
| Puketui | 5,000 | 85 | 0 | 0 | Survey in progress. Adjoins, Tairua, Hihi, and Piraunui, already purchased by Government. Probable cost, two shillings per acre. | |||
| Mangarehu | 1,825 | 31 | 0 | 0 | Surveyed. Title investigated. Valuable from proximity to Shortland. | |||
| Mangarehu East | 468 | 20 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Mataora | 6,000 | 15 | 0 | 0 | Not Surveyed. Some of Ngatiporua anxious to sell in consequence of a quarrel with Ngatitamatera. | |||
| Totals | 330,622 | 1,818 | 10 | 0 | 1,606 | 0 | 0 | |
| 24th March, 1873. | James Mackay, jun. |