BOUNDARY DISPUTE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1918, 28 November 1913, Page 7

BOUNDARY DISPUTE.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA V. VICTORIA. By Telegraph—Preso Association—Corjriebt London, November 26. The Privy Council is hearing the caso of South Australia v. Victoria, which involves tho question of the disputed boundary between the two States. The Court consists of Lords Haldane (Lord Chancellor), Moulton, Parker, and Somers. Mr. P. 0. Lawrence's, K.C., arguments for the appellants' lasted three days. Mr. Cleland, of South Australia, assisted him At the conclusion of Mr. Lawrence's arguments, which were a repetition of those in tho Australian High Court, Lord Haldane said to Sir Robert Fiulay, K.C.. respondent's counsel:—"AY e havo tho facts and documents pretty fully before us. Mr. Justice O'Connor's judgment impresses us. You are confronted with an Act of Parliament and an Ordcr-in-Couneil, whoso combined effect says that the boundary i 3 to be the Mist meridian'. AYe should like to bear how you deal with that difficulty." Sir Robert Finlay and Mr. Mitchell, of Victoria, addressed their Lordships, and Mr. Lawrence replied. Lord Haldane said their Lordships would consider their report.

| The dispute between tho Slates of Victoria and South Australia was, at tho ! instance of the (iiavuruincnt Mf South Australia, brought before the Ili<;h Court; I of five Judges in lilll for a declaration that the land lying two miles (o the west of tho 1-Hst degree, ot east longitude belonged fxT'Sonth Australia. The (lovernnicut of South Australia claimed that (ho real boundary was fixed by letters patent dated February I'J. 1831), at the 111 st decree. In IHtli Air. Henry Wade was appointed by the Government of New South Wale?, wilh tho concurrence, of South Australia, to dctormin? tl'.e 'boundary. The Iwundary so fixed by Mr. Wade was, it was claimed, two miles l!l chains to the west of the true, position. It is Hie area between these two lines that has since been known as the "disputed territory," and in respect of which the action arose. It was contended on behalf of Victoria that the eastern boundary, as surveyed by Mr. Wade, had always been accepted as tho boundary in all subsequent legislation and administration, and that from 18-17 Li the time of Ihe erection of Hie district of Port Phillin into a Mpirale colony lite Covernioenl-, of New South Walei mid South Australia treated Mr. Wade's line as the boundary. Tho Ilie.li Court, on May 211. lull, rave judgment in favour of the State of Victon;-,,