ENCROACHMENT ON RIVER BANKS.

Marlborough Express, Volume VI, Issue 296, 10 June 1871, Page 5

ENCROACHMENT ON RIVER BANKS.

Sik, —During a long residence in tlie Colony of New Zealand, I have always been led to believe that, po Act of the Colonial, Legislature, either general or local, much less of any,,individual, could contravene the spirit of our Imperial laws.; t Now; Sir, there is a law, if I mistake not, which distinctly reserves the banks of all. tidal rivers. as laud held in trust by the Crown,, for .public j purposes. I know that some law to that effect

exists in the neighboring Provinces ; and I should therefore like to know how it is in this Province that certain individuals have been allowed to shut up, alienate, and otherwise appropriate the banks of the rivers-which intersect Blenheim for their own selfish or ambitious purposes, A very short ramble through our little town will convince anyone that there are many spots which will some day be valuable as sites for wharves or landing-places, which are now enclosed or claimed as private property. If the Government of this Province or of Nelson has alienated these lands contrary to the spirit and meaning of English law, then, Sir* I argue that such alienation, being illegal and detrimental to the public weal, the title to such lands must be bad. I should like to see some of our representatives, whose duty it is to protect the people’s rights, make some enquires into this matter, and take some steps to promote in that direction the future prosperity of Blenheim.—l am, &c., Spartan.