SOUTH ISLAND "SOLD."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 43, 20 February 1940, Page 8

SOUTH ISLAND "SOLD."

Purchase Deed For £100 Found In Sydney. ANNUITY TO MAORI " KINO." SYDNEY, February 19. According to the "Daily Telegraph," « deed of indenture, recording the purchase of the South Island of New Zealand for £100. has been discovered in the strong room of the Wentworth family in a Sydney solicitor's office. The deed discloses that the island was purchased by W. V. Wentworth, explorer and statesman, and John Jones, of Sydney, from Maori chieftains i.i 1840. Stewart Island was also included in the purchase. In addition, the purchasers had to pay an annuity of £50 to the Maori King, Towack, also smaller annuities to several chieftains. Mr. W. C. Wentworth, of Point' Piper, a grandson of the original buyer, expressed, his intention of presenting the document to the Mitchell Library, Sydney, where it ia regarded as of great Value. The document bears Maoris' tattoos in plaoe of their signatures* According to a local authority on Maori history, Towack is an incorrectly spelt version of the name Tawliaiki. John T&whaiki was a powerful chief in the Soiith Island. In the earlier part of his life he was a notorious character, being known as "Bloodv Jack," but he reformed and was a widely-known and respected leader at his death. The title "king" is inaccurate, as the king movement did not spread to the South Island.