THE AWAPURI LAGOON.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14937, 16 June 1919, Page 6

THE AWAPURI LAGOON.

At to-day's meeting of the Poverty Bay River Board a ie_al opinion of the position of the Awapuni lagoon and wnat steps would be necessary, to -vest same m the River Board was considered. This was as follows : "A search made at the Land Office shows that the lagoon is not incorporated m- any.- of the native lands surrounding it, and 'therefore doea not come int6 any native title. '"The lagoon is situated at the mouth of the Waipaoa. river, and is subject to the rise and fall of the tides. Tnis being the case the controlling"' authority is the Gisborne Harbor Board by virtue of the Gisborne Harboi- Act, 1905. The seaward limits of the Gisborne Harbor Board extend m a straight -line from Young Nick's Head to Tuahine Point. The mouth of the Waipaoa river and the lagoon being within' tidal waters affected by the boundary above mentioned are, therefore, under the control of the Gisborne Harbor Board. If, therefore, it •is suggested that the River Board should have the lajjoon vested m it the only means of having this done would be to have a special Act passed by Parliament for the purpose of vesting the lagoon m. the River Boafd. This is made clear by . virtue of section 129 of the Harbors Act, 1908, which provides that no part of the ; shore or the sea, or any .creek, arm of the sea, etc., and so far up as the tide flows and reflows shall be granted, conveyed, etc., to ariy Harbor Boardor any other body whether incorporated or not, without the authority of a ! special Act. We would further » point out that if it is intended to construct any works m the lagoon or at the Waipaoa river mouth, the sanction of the Govcr-nor-in-Council must be first obtained, m accordance with the provision of section •86 of the River Boards Act. 1908." I Arising out of the above" matters, on r-tbe motion of Mr. Fenwick, seconded by Mr. Smith, the chairman and secretary were appointed to interview the district engineer and complete the drawing up of conditions for the calling of. tenders. .Wmw»ui.. ■'__«_______ _w_ft