LAKE BEDS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1929, Page 6

LAKE BEDS

NOT CROWN LANDS. .JUDGE’S IMPORTANT DECISION. AUCKLAND, June 20. The ownership Of Lake Omapei e,*, near Kaikohe, which has been in. dismte between 'sub-tribes of the Ngapuhi ribe and the Crown, was definitely iwarded to the Maoris in a decision bj •Judge F. O'. V. Acheson, in the Naive Land Court to-day. Judge Acheson said the bed of the lake did not belong, nor had it ever lelonged, to the Crown. No portion of the lake had been ceded to the Crown by treaty, and it was indisputable that the bod of the lake and its ringe to the level of the waters beoro the recent draining was carried mt was Native “customary” land iwtied ’bv the Ngapuhi and sub-tribes, a view of this any orders issued .fleeting the area would have to be mended as they bad been made by mistake.

In addition, it was held that the ,rown in New Zealand had no right whatever to any lake beds. important issues are involved in the leeision for similar claims have been mt forward by the Natives in respect of Lakes Rotorua, T'aupo and Waikaremoana.

ihe Crown has purchased areas of and around Lake Omapere and there was a proposal that the lake should he .ixpluited for lijdro-electric purposes, the decision of the Court will have an .in porta lit 1 bearing on these sales, as £ was lioid that the disposal of tribal .and was a tribal right and could not .e exorcised by individuals.* the Court deferred the fixing of fuller details of ownership pending we question Oi appeal.