MAORI FISHING RIGHTS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14340, 9 July 1914, Page 5

MAORI FISHING RIGHTS.

APPEAL COURT CASE. (!•« United Piet* Association.) WKLLINUTOX, July 9. 'llio Full Court (the Chief Justice uud Justices Ist \v;il'dri and Cooper) were engaged in hearing argument in thr.case of U a.pjpalui.a versus Uempton (Collector of Customs at New Plymouth). The appeal is from the decision of Mr Crooke, S.M. at Waitara. The claim in the Magistrate hj Coni., was for jf 10 for by his agents wrongfully depriving the plaintiff of the lists and pon.ses.sion of three whitebait nets. The nets ware seized by the Customs authorities upon the ground that the appellant was using them unlawfully in a breach of clause 3 of the regulations under the Fisheries Act, 19()ri.

The applicant claimed that she was exercising the Mauri tisbing right, and that such right was saved from the operation of the Fisheries Act. The Magistrate hold that he has! no jurisdiction to determine the existence or validity of native fishing rights, and that the appellant must go to iho Native Land Court to have her rights determined before suing in the Magistrate's Court. From this derision the present appeal was brought. Argument is proceeding.