RIGHT OF ACCESS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 104, 26 January 1935, Page 14

RIGHT OF ACCESS

Waikato River Banks REQUEST TO MR. FORBES By Telegraph—Press .Association. Auckland, January 25. The vexed question of access to the fishing waters on the Waikato River and Lake Taupo was brought before the Prime Minister. Rt. lion. G. W. Forbes, this afternoon, by members of the Taupo Road Board, who urged that steps should be taken to prevent further encroachment on access, and if possible to secure it for anglers where it did not at present exist. Specifically the deputation complained that a large part of the river banks belQjy the lake outlet was reserved by owners and occupiers of adjoining land, including afforestation companies, proprietors of fishing camps, and private individuals. The length 'Of reserved river bank had been increased in the last few months, and the-process was likely to go on. They asked that some action should be taken to conserve the public’s right in the event of further transfers of land. A second complaint was made regarding a large area of land owned and lately subdivided by the Lands Deparlme.\ along the eastern shore of tlie lake from Taupo township. Speakers stated that although, a strip along the shore had been reserved to the public there was no access to it for miles because roads on the property had not been dedicated and the purchasers of sections wore entitled to close them; one owuer had, in fact, done so. It was suggested that steps should be taken to dedicate the roads without delay. Speakers deplored the fact that such conditions should exist on what was probably one of rhe finest fishing grounds in the world. The Prime Minister said that apparently the situation was due to lack of foresight in years gone by. He promised that the matter would be fully considered.