South Island Bought For £100!
SYDNEY, February 19. According to the “Daily Telegraph,” a deed of indenture, recording the purchase of the South Island of New Zealand for £IOO, has been discovered in the strongroom of the Wentworth family in a Sydney solicitor’s office. The deed discloses ■ that the island was purchased by W. C. Wentworth, explorer and statesman, and John Jones, of Sydney, from Maori chieftains in 1840. Stewart Island was also included in the purchase. In addition, the purchasers had to pay an annuity of £SO 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 is regarded as of great value. The document bears Maoris’ tattoos in place of their signatures.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19400220.2.6
Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 20 February 1940, Page 3
Word Count
142South Island Bought For £100! Northern Advocate, 20 February 1940, Page 3
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