NLAND WATERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1920, 1 December 1913, Page 7

NLAND WATERS.

NATIVES AND THEIR RIGHTS. Tho ownership of tho intancl waters of the Hot' Lakes district is a question that for some time lias been exercising tho minds of tho many-branched Arawa tribe, which inhabits that locality, and the a.ssistanco of Mr. F. Ear!, K.U., of Auckland, has been sought in tho matter. At'a. recent meeting of tho Natives at Tamote-Kapna, Obinemutu, a letter from !Mr. Earl was considered. In it ho stated that ho had applied to ■ the chief surveyor to approvo of a plan showing Lakes Rotbiti and Rotorua, to enable him to bring the matter before tho Native Land Court, with the object of proving the customary rights of .the Natives to the beds of these lakes. Tho Crown Solicitor had, however, Jtiaintainr.d that argument as'to these rights could bo presented without a plan, but Mr. Earl stated that if ho could not get the chief surveyor's approval lie would take steps in tiio Supreme Court to obtain it. Funds are .being liberally subscribed by tho Natives so that their oaso may'bo prosecuted,'and tho Ngatipikiao sub-tribe, residing on tho shores of Lake Rotoiti, have raised a fund of £300. At tho meeting referred to it was stated that tho proceedings had not Wn instituted iu any grasping spirit, but to settle for all timn. y.'liat rights the Natives had, if any, to ecrtain inland waters. i- ••