Water Ski-ing By-Laws

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30063, 22 February 1963, Page 3

Water Ski-ing By-Laws

Sir,—As a property owner in the Brooklands area and a constant user of the Brooklands lagoon for fishing and bathing, I should be grateful for Mr Hodgson’s replies to the following questions: (1) Do the Kaiapoi Borough Council’s motor launch bylaws, 1958, apply to the Brooklands lagoon? (2) If not, why not? (3) If the regulations apply how is it possible for water-skiers to comply with the regulations when the distance across this lagoon at its widest point at full tide is no more than 350 yards? (4) Has a special dispensation been granted water-skiers in this area, and if so does the council accept responsibility for any accident which is likely to occur, and will the council recompense fishermen for damage to fishing nets? Any fine weekend, from half to full tide, numerous skiers can be seen cavorting round this lagoon with complete disregard of other users.—Yours, etc., QUO JURE? February 14. 1963. [The Town Clerk of Kaiapoi (Mir C. W. D. Hodgson) replies: “(1) No. (2) The area is expressly exempted by clause 17 of the by-laws. (3) The above replies answer this question. (4) The council will not accept responsibility for accidents which are likely to occur and will not compensate fishermen for damage to fishing nets. Persons affected have their rights under common law to claim damages resulting from the negligence of waterskiers. The council would prefer that common sense should prevail and that damage to nets or injury to persons is avoided at all times. The water-skiers have no exclusive right to the Brooklands Lagoon and if any water-skier is negligent on the water he could be liable to a claim for damages just as if he were negligent on a highway.” "Mr Hodgson added that if the correspondent approached him direct he would be pleased to elaborate on these answers.]