LAKE DRAINAGE.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 151, 1 June 1877, Page 5

LAKE DRAINAGE.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir, — A useful hint was lately afforded to notoriety hunters in the application made to purchase the fee simple of the land under the lakes Kaitangata and Tuakitoto. As the inhabitants who reside near other lakes and rivers may be bothered with the like applications and the like hunting, it seems needful to make a remark or two bearing on the rights and duties in such a case. On the late application, the settlers supposed to be more immediately interested were asked by the Waste Land Board to give their opinion, and a number of them were accordingly induced to meet, and did so. Now 1 think that the Waste Land Board had no right to ask the settlers for any such opinion, and still less had the Board any right to countenance or entertain such an application. These lakes and the creeks connected with them are navigable water, and as such the Board had nothing to do with them. Nov have the settlers adjacent to them any riparian right. That as everybody knows, has been retained by the Crown. A man from the heart of London or the heart of Hindostan has the right to sail his boats'on any parts of these lakes, and to water his cattle or spread, liis nets on any part of their shores, none daring in New Zealand to make him afraid. The inhabitants now resident near them, and the people of the Waste Land Board, can use them in common only with ' the rest of the inhabitants of the empire. I Tliey can be drained, it is true, but by the Queen alone, or by those to whom she has delegated the power, viz., the Colonial Parliament. At the present time a very proper and worthy effort is being made to prevent the flood-water which finds its way into them damaging the properties of the settlers near their banks. Tins effort will also result in their great improvement as a means of water-car-riage. All, however, who are subject to the attacks of obscurity and neglect should apply for a New Zealand lake or two. The Colonial Lady Notoria is not very difficult to woo. Any stump, be it ever so rotten or absurd, seems good enough to address her from. Even should the results be but partially brilliant, it does not cost much, and is first-rate fun. — I am, &c, P.