Possession Of Water Argued

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30278, 2 November 1963, Page 11

Possession Of Water Argued

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright) LUSAKA, November 1. Talks are to be held on November 5 and 6 to decide who owns the 400 ft high Victoria Falls—Northern or Southern Rhodesia. A spokesman for the two Governments said yesterday that the talks, at the Victoria Falls Hotel, would define the legal boundary between the two countries on the Zambezi river.

A spokesman for the United National Independence Party said today tihere was no question of the boundary being decided by “colonial” government.

The dispute Should be discussed after January next year by which time Northern Rhodesia will be self-govern-ing.

The southern bank of the Zambezi river formed the legal boundary and thus the Falls belonged to Northern Rhodesia, he claimed. A Northern Rhodesia spokesman saiid most people thought the Falls should be

made a “free” area. Plans for a multi-million pound casino ait the Falls were probably still being considered, he said. An American financier is understood to be involved in the plan which, government sources say, would br-.ng thousands of pounds a year in revenue for Northern Rhodesia.

The falls are greeter in height and width than Niagara. They are caused by the presence of a rift which extends for a mile at right angles to the Zambezi river’s course and is 400 ft wide, the ground above and below the falls being ait the same level. They are divided by islands into three main falls with heights varying froou 350 ft to 450 ft The river escapes from the rift by a narrow gap known as the ’’Bailing Pat," and then follows a winding gorge crossed by a rood and railway bridge. There is a hydroelectric plant. The falls are a great tour .st attraction.