ROYAL COMMISSIONS SET UP FOR THE MACRIS

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 November 1949, Page 4

ROYAL COMMISSIONS SET UP FOR THE MACRIS

Ownership Of Wanganui River; Ohutu Leases Wanganui Maoris have been advised by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) that Sir Harold Johnston has agreed to sit as a Royal Commission to inquire into the whole question of Maori claims to ownership of the bed of the Wanganui River. Mr Fraser has also advised the Wanganui Maoris that a Royal Commission, consisting of Sir Michael Myers, as chairman, and Messrs H. M. Christie (Wellington) and R. Ormsby (Te Kuiti), is to be set up to go into the question of Ohutu Maori leases and vested lands. Claims by the Maoris to ownership of the bed of the Wanganui Rivei have resulted in lengthy litigation. They were first heard in the Maori Land Court and later in the Maori Court of Appeal. In both courts decisions were in favour of the claimants. The Crown then appealed to the Supreme Court and the decisioh there was in favour of the Crown and against the Maoris. The Maoris then had three courses open, to approach the Court of Appeal, ask for a Royal Commission of Inquiry, or drop the whole matter. Time was a factor in the first issue, and before a decision could be made the time limit within which an appeal could be made had expired. It was then decided to make a direct appeal to the Prime Minister, who is also Minister for Maori Affairs, and ask for a Royal Commission. This request has now been granted. There has also been lengthy negotiation regarding the Ohutu leases, largely involving the question of compensation for improvements. A start was made to hear the claims of lessees in 1939, but the matter was dropped on the outbreak of war. Since then efforts have been made, by both the Maori owners and the lessees, to have the matter determined. Mr H. J. Duigan, of Wanganui, representing the lessees, has prepared a great deal of data on the matter, and it is hoped that with the appointment of a Royal Commission the cases will be heard in the near future.