Judge warns sailing club

A judge has issued the "strongest possible" warning to the Horowhenua Sailing Club that it could be found in contempt of the Maori Land Court.

But the club denies it is defying the court.

It has been issued a stern warning to cease any activities breaching an injunction issued by the court.

The court last year ordered the Horowhenua Lake Trustees to stop dredging the lake near the sailing club headquarters after an application by Muaupoko tribal member, Vivienne Taueki.

She said she had concerns about the possible desecration of wahi tapu (sacred) sites.

The club had wanted the area dredged to a depth of one metre and a concrete ramp put in so boats could be launched.

At a recent court sitting in Levin, Judge Lane Harvey said he had received correspondence stating the club was defying the order.

"I advise them in the strongest possible way - any breach of the injunction will be a contempt."

He said until the wahi tapu issue and the workings of the Horowhenua Lake Trustees were sorted out the injunction must be "strictly observed".

Any breach would result in proceedings against the club, he said.

However, club secretary David Feek said the club was not defying the injunction orders.

The club had written two letters to the Maori Land Court to clarify some of the wording of the injunction.

"The wording says that we're not allowed to interfere with the area."

If people were launching off the dredged area, they were not likely to be members of the club, he said.

- NZPA