TAUPO FISHING RIGHTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12613, 25 November 1926, Page 11

TAUPO FISHING RIGHTS

MEETING WITH NATIVE OWNERS NO SETTLEAIENT REACHED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, November 24. A meeting of natives was held at Waitahanui to meet Messrs H. R. H. Balneavis and Shepherd, and discuss tho fishing rights of tho Waitahanui river at Taupo. There was a good attendance, including a party of Arawas from Rotorua. After Mr Balneavis had explained the i>osition from tho Government’s side of the question a warm discussion ensued. Some of the Maoris present denied the suggestion that the Government’s purchase of the lake fishing included the rivers and tributaries flowing into the lake, and insisted that the natives did not want anything but their rights, and they wished to be free to make their own charges for fishing there. The presence of the Arawas was resented because ii was contended it was not their business. The Arawa chief, Mita Taupopoki, said they were not there to tell the Waitahanui people what they should do, but, to help them in coming to a wise decision. He referred to the Waihi meeting with Hon. Mr Coates, and said he had not heard that Koi Koi and Waaka Te Arakai were there making their voices heard, and from their silence he argued that at that time they had nothing to say. Now he likened them to the bulldog which, having swallowed a bone, wanted to get it up and swallow it again. Isaac Tauhere, of Taupo, said be represented himself and bis wife who held 369 shares in the Waitahanui property. He was not in favour of molesting anglers, but preferred to seek compensation from the Government for any infringement of his freehold rights. Ultimately the meeting broke up without settling anything.