WAITAHANUI FISHING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16202, 27 November 1926, Page 13

WAITAHANUI FISHING

NATIVES DEFEND RIGHTS

A meeting of natives was held at I Waitahaiiui to meet Messrs. H. R. H. Balncavis and Shepherd to discuss the fishing rights of the Waitahnnui river. There was a good attendance, , including a party of Arawas from 'Rotorua. After Mr. Balncavis had j explained the position from the Govi ernment side of the question, a warm discussion ensued. Some of the j Maoris present denied the suggestion that the Government’s purchase of I the lake fishing included the rivers tt mi tributaries flowing into the'lake, and insisted that the natives did not want anything but their rights. They wished to be free to make their own charges for fishing there. The presence of the Arawas was resented, because it was contended that it was not their business. The Arawa chief, Mita Taupopoki,

said they wore not there to tell the Waitahaiiui people what they should do, but to help them in coming to a wise decision. .Ife referred to the W:iilli meeting with Mr. Coates, and said Tie had liot heard that Koi Koi ami AVaaka To Arakni were there making tlu-ir voices heard, and from their silence lie argued that at that time they had nothing to say. Now he likened, them to ihe bull dog, which, having swallowed a bone, wanted to gel it up and swallow it

again. Isaac Tanlmre, of Taupe, said he represented himself and his wife, who held 30!) shares in the Waitahnnui property, and he was not in ftivoi of molesting anglers, but preferred to seek compensation from the Government for any infringement of hqs freehold rights.

IJllinmteiy the meeting brqke up without settling anything.