THE MIDDLE LINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15130, 22 October 1912, Page 8

THE MIDDLE LINE.

. A 'FISHING PROSECUTION [rant om owx cokresfo.vuent.] T.uouj/cnti, Monday. The question of defining the boundaries of acclimatisation districts came up at the Magistrate's Court, at Taumarunui the other day in connection with somo fishing prosecutions. Anglers all over the country are concerned in the decision given by Mr. F. O'B. Longlman -in tho matter. As the Waiman'no Acclimatisation Society licenses date front Oslobcr«L, and those of the Rotorua Society ono month later, itwas evidently a matter of importance to know exactly where the limits lay between the respective district*. . Four Mammui anglers took it that under the newly defined boundaries they were entitled on holding Waimarino licenses to fish in the Wanganui liver, near Manunui, from October- 1. The local constable thought otherwise and summoned them. The Kotorua district was defined as being bounded in this neighbourhood by the Kaitieke County and the hitter was found to bo bounded by the Wanganui river. The point then arose as to whether the boundary line followed the bank or ran. along the middle of the river. Mr. I/oughnan in delivering his judgment, quoted many authorities to show that the boundary line ran along the middle of tho river, that is the middle lino between two high banks that would confine" tho water in times of ordinary flood. According to this decision the Wanganui river, for many miles of its length, is half in one district and half in the other. A fisherman might hook a fish in Waimarino and land it in Tiolorua. This, said the Magistrate, placed the angler in a difficult position. He thought that if the societies were appealed to they would take a common-sense view of the matter and allow fishing right across the river. In the. case then before the court the -men were not standing on tho bank, but were on a little island in the river. There was a doubt as to whether they were actually breaking the law. He dismissed the csisqs.