EARLY NATIVE LAND DEALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18952, 28 August 1923, Page 5

EARLY NATIVE LAND DEALS.

In view of the fact that £1420 per foot was recently paid for a frontage in Queen street, Auckland, it is interesting (says the Northlander) to recall some of the early native land deals in and near that city. The first area of 3000 acres acquired included from Matamata, Harehare (St. George’s Bay) to Maungawhau (Mount Eden), and was bounded by the creek at Opau on the one side and Waitemata. Harbour on the other. This purchase was made in October - , 1840, from the Ngatiwhatua tribe. 'The European signatures to the deed are Captain W. C. Symonds, of tho 96th Regiment,- and Major T. Ryan, J.P., of the 68th Regiment. The consideration given was £SO cash, 50 blankets, 20 pairs of trousers, 20 shirts, 10 waistcoats, 10 caps, 4 casks of tobacco, one box of pipes, 100 yards of gown pieces, 10 iron pots, one bag of sugar, one bag of flour, and 20 hatchets. Later the sum of £2 was also paid for a Maori sacred burying place. In 1841 the Hohimarama Block was purchased from tho Ngatipaoa tribe by Mr G. Clarke, Protector of Aborigines, on behalf of the Government. The market price had evidently risen during the year, for the cash given was £IOO, two horses, one large boat with sails, 200 blankets, 20 cloaks, J.O frock coats (probably for the chiefs), 100 pairs of trousers, 10 pieces of print, two pails, . three tents, 40 shawls, three casks of tobacco, 10 pairs of boots, six bags of Hour, two bags of sugar, two cross-cut saws, and two pit saws. Here there is evidence that the* Maoris wore advancing in civilisation, in that they wanted a boat and saws, to say nothing of frock coats. In the same year the Government bought the land running from Qrakei to Maungakeikei (One Tree Hill) and thence to the Whau Portage, the northern boundary being along the Waitemata front back to Orakei. Once again land values had advanced. The cash given for this area was £2OO, and in addition four horses. 30 blankets, 10 cloaks, and one sealing box. Another 200 acres on the road from Auckland to Manukau wa s bought from the Ngatiwhatua tribe for £4O. In 1844, Remuera, on the north side of the road leading to Tamaki, was bought -for £SO, and it was not until 1851 the '’slope from Mount Hobson to the sea was bought for £l5O.