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An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

Mokau Block

Mokau Block.

3. With regard to the Mokau Block, I beg to report that it consists of a piece of land of about two miles square, extending along the banks of the river to a stream called Manga-uira. The offer of this block, however, is subject to several reserves made by the Ngatipehi hapu, headed by the chiefs Ngataua, or Te Kaka, and Te Waru, the former of whom retains a piece of land called Te Kauri, consisting of about 30 acres, with a frontage of nearly a quarter of a mile to the river, and including almost the only available spot for commercial purposes, whilst Te Waru reserves 300 acres of the best cultivable land in the block lying at the corner of the northern and western boundaries. A large tongue formed by a bend of the river is also excepted on account of being an ancient burial ground; and two other small reserves, one of them comprising the greater part of the land now occupied as a mission station. In addition to the above, one of the sellers also claims the timber growing on a considerable piece of land, though he stated his readiness to let the land go, after his trees shall have been cleared off.

4. His Excellency will perceive from what I have stated above that the whole extent of land offered on the Mokau will not greatly exceed 2,500 acres; and that, deducting the reserves, a balance of about 2,000 acres remains. Of this quantity not more than 500 acres would be of any use to Europeans, and that in the least accessible portion of the block, the remaining land being very much broken and thickly wooded.