TAUPO FISHING RIGHTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1926, Page 9

TAUPO FISHING RIGHTS.

WATERS VESTED IN CROWN.

PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.

THE EFFECT ON XJIE PUBLIC.

(By Wire —Parliamentary Reporter.) Vveffington, Last Night

The agreement by which the bed of Lake Taupo and that of the Waikato River from the lake to the Huka Falls are to be vested in the Grown is given legislative effect by clauses ia the Native “Washing-Up” Bill. The Bill also vests in the Crown the right to use the waters of the lake and river save that the natives are to have the right of access to any island. The Gov-ernor-General may reserve any portion of the bed of the lake or any Crown lands bordering on it for the use of the natives and vest them in the Tuwharetoa Trust Board constituted by the Bill. A strip of land not exceeding one chain in width around the margin of the lake is reserved for the public, but the public use of it may be limited by proclamation. The bed of any river or stream flowing into the lake or any portion of such bed may be proclaimed Crown land, and strips of land on either side of the beds so vested in the Crown may be reserved and the right, of way over them granted to holders of special licenses. Subject to rather wide powers of control the Crown is to have the sole right to let camping sites on the land so reserved. Landowners or holders of existing fishing rights are not allowed to interfere, but may claim compensation within one year and their claims will be heard by a commission. Any awards made are to be paid out of the Consolidated Fund. Fences are not to be disturbed, provided that access is given by gates or stiles. The Crown is authorised to expend moneys upon the erection of camps for tbe use of anglers. SPECIAL DISTRICT ESTABLISHED. The Bill establishes a special district under the Fisheries Act comprising the waters referred to and provides that no fishing; licenses issued by any acclimatisation society or in respect of the Rotorua Acclimatisation district are to have any effect in the new district. The GovernorGeneral is vested with the widest powers to make special regulations governing the issue of Taupo fishing licenses, and such regulations may override the provisions of the Fisheries Act and the general regulations thereunder. Differentiation may be made with regard to fees and otherwise between New Zealand and visiting anglers or between residents and non-residents of the district. The licenses may be for the whole or part only of a season and may apply to specified waters only. Fees for the use of camping sites may be similarly fixed. Members of the Tuwharetoa tribe are to be entitled to fish for eels and other indigenous fish at any time, but not to sell the catches and not more than fifty trout fishing licenses may be issued each year to members of the tribe nominated by the trust board. The Tuwhareta Trust Board, the composition of which is to be defined by Order-in-Council, is empowered to hold lands and trust funds and deal with them for the benefit of ths tribe. It is to receive this year £lOOO by appropriation from the Government and £3009 a year thereafter, together with fifty per cent, of all fees in excess of £3OOO yearly received from fishing and boat licenses, and from the hire of camp sites; also fifty per cent, of all fines and penalties.