OWNERSHIP OF WANGANUI RIVER

Grey River Argus, 6 September 1948, Page 8

OWNERSHIP OF WANGANUI RIVER

WELLINGTON, Sept. 1 The ownership of the Wanganui River, which, more or less, has been in dispute for ten years, promises to be one of the most interesting law suits in New Zealand’s history, when it comes to hearing. The present claims on behalf of Maori tribes on the river resulted today in the extremely rare appearance of the Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, as Advocate for the Crown, at the hearing before the Chief Justice, Sir Huffiphrey O’Leary, in the Chambers to decide a preliminary point. With the Attorney-General was Messrs R. E. Harding and F. C. Spratt representing the Maoris, the nominal defendents being Titi Tihu and the Chief Judge of the Maori Land Court. When the claims come to hearing, the issue will be argued as to whether the Maoris are entitled to the true ownership of the river, and river bed Which would involve all use of the river, in any way being subject to the permission and approval of the tribes concerned One section of the Maori claims has already been dealt with by the -Judge of the Maori Land Court, and Maori Appellate Court. The second remains to be heard.