CLAIM BY MAORIS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 307, 28 December 1944, Page 2

CLAIM BY MAORIS

LAKE AND RIVER BED

ACTION AT WANGANUI

WANGANUI, this day

No further moves concerning the Maori claim to the bed of the Wanganui River are likely for some time, local action being dependent upon what course the Crown takes regarding the rejection of its appeal by the Native Appellate Court last week. Maori claims to the bed of the Wanganui River and Lake Waikaremoana have been upheld, and the issues are the same in each case. It is understood that the Crown intends to appeal further to the Supreme Court against the Native Appellate Court's decision concerning the Waikaremoana claim, and if this is done jjjhe Wanganui River judgment is Tikely to be 'contested also. Subject to further legal action by the Crown, the procedure concerning the Wanganui River will be for the Native Land Court to decide which native owners hold title on the river bed, and later to go into the question of compensation. As hundreds of Maoris are likely to be interested, and as there are likely to be disputed titles to be adjudicated on, this will take time. The dispute could still go on for years if the Crown were to continue to take appeals through all the Courts available to it, the Supreme Court, the Full Court of Appeal and the Privy Council. In the circumstances, 'Wanganui Maoris do not think their claims will be finally decided for some time.