THE TAUPO FISHERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 7

THE TAUPO FISHERIES.

SECURED FOR ALL TIME. RIVERS AS WELL AS LAKE. WELLINGTON. April 25. Anglers throughout New Zealand who have been iu the of visiting the Taupo district tor the w .nderful trout fishing obtainable there, have been somewhat puzzled, and a good deal perturbed, by statements made ii a l*ress Associa tion message from Auckland regarding the decisions come to at a meeting ol the Native landowners recently convened at VVaini by the Hon. J. G. Coates, in tiis capacity as Native Minister. This report stated that the Natives had agreed to hand over their fishing rights iu and over Lake Taupo in consideration of a perpetual aum. I payment by the C'rowu ot £3OOO. provided that, toould 50 per cent... of the fishing license fees collected by tiie Crown be more than £3OOO. then such larger sum should be paid to those interested. It ,was further stated that the questions of the fishing rights in the streams and rivers was to be gone into later. This was the point on which anglers were greatly concerned, because it is the river fishing which is the really valuable asset from the sporting view, and according to the report nothing had been decided on that important matter. It appears, however, that quite the contrary is the case, for the negotiations were carried out in accordance with the provisions enacted ir section 29 of the Native L;.nd Amendment and Native Lund Claims’ Adjustment Act of 1924. In this section of the Act it is expressly provided that "Taupo waters” means and includes "Lake Taupo and all rivers and streams flowing into that lake,” and not only that, but in addition "the Waikato River between Lake Taupo aud the Huka Falls.” I he procedure of negotiation and contract is clearly defined in the same section which provides that the Native Minuter may convene o meeting of the interested Natives and. if satisfied that a majority of the Natives present, and entitled to be present, approve of and agree upon certain torms provisions and conditions, effect may be given to these notwithstanding the dissent therefrom of a minority. The intent and effect of the law is that terms. R revisions and conditions with respect to e subject matter of the negotiations authorised shall be such, as in the opinion of a substantial majority of the Natives present at the meeting, are fair and reasonable. Mr Coatee, in hia capacity of Native Minister, hae satisfied himself in regard

to all this, so that the whole of the Taupo fishing rights including those in regard to die rivers as specified now fall into the hands of the Crown as soon as he has certified to the Governor-General, which he will now do that the terms provisions, a.nd condition? are fair and reasonable in the interest of the Natives concerned and also in the public interest. As soon as he has received such certificate from the Native Minister it will only remain for the by Order in-Council to set forth tk«» terms and declare that they shall have effect as law. Thus with a master stroke without any undue delay or haggling, Mr Coates has settled a difficult nrnblem ip the fairest possible mariner lie has ensured that present and furore generations of New Zea landers will have in their own hands valuable fishing right? while at the same timp the Maori? di r *»ctly interested will receive a petpetual pavment from the Crown and at ‘he same timp the Crown will he able io recoup itself to a considerable extent tiv *he license fee? which it will collect from anglers. From u -.porting point of view 'i aupo Lake and its tributary streams undoubtedly provide fhp finest trout fish itig ip the whole world Already this fi'herv attract? anglers from all the Eng lish-sneakine countries and from some foreign countries and the revenue that will arortic from annual license fee.- will, under intelligent control and scientific management. go fai toward? maintaining the fisher? at its present high level, whereas under present conditions there was danger of gradual deterioration. It is suggested that the I: en?e fees should be at the rate of £6 to visitor? from other countries. £3 to Nev Zealander o from outside districts, and perhaps a local fee of £l. ’here should be little objection to theee fpps. Visiting anglers have over and over again expressed surprise at the low rate of the fpe? now charged and their willingness to pav more for sue 1 ' splendid fishing. Such visitors however, often st.av for two or three nonths or more in die district, whereas the busv New Zealander usual!? has to content himself with from one to three week?’ angling Under such circumstances it mMit be fairer to arrange for a sliding scale of lioefise fees according to the time spent on Taupo waters. That, however* is a minor detail upon which thp vLws of the acclimatisation societies might he obtained Mr Coates promised that if there were anv cases in whi Native owners had entered nto definite contract? 1 regard to their riparian rights he would look into the matter, hut it i? understood tbit there -e no su ’ right? in existence T u some few instances notahlv at Waits hanui. or thp caster*' shore where e mnl’ river enters thp lake. th«» |c-**' Mo mi? have hpan in ikp hikff of impnemg a*> addi tiona! licence fe a of 2? 6d a day unon all anglers who fish in be river or the lake it the rnouth of the river As occasion iMr there nr e a? mn-v 0? 20 ang! *rs a dnv fish in- t u «-*r.» n nr>ncid«»rnble °"m runner L collected | n tl'» concern ykteh lacfs from Xovemher * to Mnr 31. Under the new -nn-re—ent f««? wiH *»• no longer ohargea' le An i**'r» o >*t3r't feature of the now no* «n«»t will ho that rec-rve? a ehain wide will he mad® on the «bo r es of La he Tannn and either bank of the tributary nv«”<*.