The Waipiro Block.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1022, 12 January 1882, Page 3

The Waipiro Block.

There is at last a prospect, even though remote, of this valuable block of land being turned to useful account. The Waipiro block is roughly estimated to contain about 35,000 acres, being land of a somewhat undulating character, fairly wooded, and, as is usual in New Zealand, well watered. Persons going up the East Coast, who have passed over the Tawhiti hill, a circumstance not likely to be forgotten, if it once occurred, will have some idea of the nature of that tract of country extending northward, and having frontage to the coast line along the shore of Waipiro Bay, in the vicinity whereof will be found situated Mr John Harding’s well-kept hostelry, so gladly welcomed by the coastwise traveller. For years past earth-hungry landsharks have been, metaphorically, thirsting after this block, for indeed without doubt the soil is really excellent. The Natives, however, as is usually the case where the prize is worth contending for, have steadfastly opposed the survey of the land. Until some probability existed of the intertribal difficulties being overcome, men of capital, however speculatively inclined, were extremely chary in entering upon negotiations, especially as anything they might have done, or may do for some time to come, cannot presumably be looked upon as being thoroughly fortified by the statutes of the Colony. However, the initiatory step of having the land surveyed has been entered upon. On Friday last the tenders for the survey of this valuable block were opened. There were three tenderers, the firms of Messrs. Winter and Haig, Reardon and O’Ryan, and Mr Edward O'Meara. The last-named gentleman was the successful tenderer for the work, and will enter upon his duties forthwith, as the whole job has to be completed within three months. The precise amount for which the survey is to be executed we are not at liberty to make known, but from what we learn, the competition was keen indeed. We heard one professional gentleman, who is an authority on matters of survey, remark that a benefit to the general public might accrue as one of the results of the competition in tendering, because the Government will now be able to see at what price private individuals may have their surveys done. Without doubt a healthy competition in all these matters will be of much service. One hundred pounds, so we are informed, were paid on Friday last to a few of the leading owners of the block, Pineamine, Hutana, Taru, and others. Mr E. ff. Ward, solicitor, officiated as paymaster on behalf of some Southern capitalists—we seldom hear of northern capitalists in this district. Anxiety exists as to when a sitting of the Native Land Court will be held to adjudicate upon the

Native title to the block—but these are things of little moment to capitalists from the South. The name of a member of the House of Representatives, who has a penchant for horse racing, and is noted for “doing his level best,” is associated with the new venture.