ROTORUA CLAIMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 176, 26 July 1911, Page 4

ROTORUA CLAIMS.

SPECIAL COURT'S JUDGMENT.

Yesterday a Special Court, comprising Deputy-Ch ef Judge Jones 'ana j≤ McCormack and Rawson gave iudement in respect of the claims, for compensation arising out of the purchase of the town and suburbs of Eotorua by the Government. .

The position was that the Government had, up to December, 1910, purchased Iγ private treaty 1096 out of 1100 shares of the native owners. In order to oompensate the owners for the rem»inin» four chares,, which were vested in the Government, a special court was set up and the claims were heardof the Eansfield family, owning one and a half share, Mrs. Mareno Clayton, two and a i'half' shares, and the Ngatiwhakaue tribe, The latter claim was dismissed, and the Kansfield family's claim, was settlei for £275, by agreement. Mrs. Clayton claimed that she was entitled to some £ 1800 or more, but after a long argument the Court decided in favour of .the Government, and awarded Mts. Clayiou £300, with costs £10. It was claimed fty the Government (for whom Mr. Selwyn Mays appeared) that Mrs Clayton signed an agreement in 1883, by which she leased her share in. the land to the Government -for 99 years, thereby, reducing her reversionary iatefe&t. to.about £300. The Government, has 'now,'Sβ- ,- quired the whole of the native interests in the land referred tojithue.'bringing to an end the purchase begun in 1881.:;