OWNERSHIP OF A LAKE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 73

OWNERSHIP OF A LAKE.

RIGHTS OF CROWN AND MAORIS.

INTERESTING TEST CASE. AUCKLAND, February 28,

The Native Land Court will sit at Kaikohe on Tuesday to consider the claims of the Ngapuhi tribe to the possession of Lake Omapere. The case is deemed to have an important bearing on the claims of the Maoris to Lake Waikaremoana, the site of the Government hydro-electric works, and is likely to become a test case.

The possession of Lake Omapere is likely to take a new and important aspect if its waters are ever exploited for hydror electric purposes, similar to those of Waikaremoana. The present practice regarding such lakes is for the Crown to claim the waters as its property until such time as the Maoris substantiate the 1 : /aims to ownership. Hundreds of Maoris, it is said, are interested in the ownership of Lake Omapere, and the court will be called upon to sift a great deal of ancient tribal history. Mr V. R. Meredith and Mr O. A. Darby are acting as the Crown’s representatives, and Mr J. Webster and Mr L. Parore will appear for the Maoris. The case is expected to occupy a considerable time.