I understand that Clarke surveyed land at Parapara for the Matthews family. He apparently received payment for this service in the form of land along the eastern side of the Matthews Crown Grants.
Members of the Clarke whanau may already be aware of this. They should avoid confusion between their tupuna, William Hendrie Clarke, a Scots surveyor, and one of the first Pakeha residents of nearby Taipa named William Henry Clarke.
Neither William Hendrie, nor William Henry, Clarke were related to George Clarke Sr, the first colonial Protector of Aborigines in New Zealand. George Clarke Sr built the mission station at Waimate North during the 1830s.
Barry Rigby
Waitangi Tribunal Unit
