VALUE OF BUSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 273, 18 November 1927, Page 5

VALUE OF BUSES.

CLAIM AGAINST CITY COUNCIE

FOURTH* DAY'S HEARING

The main entrance to the Supreme Court presented an unusual appearance this morning when the fourth stage of tbe G.O.C. motor bus claim against the City Council was commenced. Five large buses were ranged along the gravel drive. They had been brought for the inspection of the Court which is assess* ing the amount of compensation to be] paid.

The total number of vehicles taken over is 44. The Mount Eden Motor Bus Company claims £34,495 for 35 buses, with garage and technical equipment, and there is a supplementary claim for £8,509 in respect of nine buses, garage and equipment owned by Mr. H. H. Hieatt. The corporation's offer for the coiiiplete fleet was approximately £13,600.

The Court is presided over by Mr. Justice Herdman, who has the assistance of Mr. G. R. Hutchinson, as assessor for the corporation and Hon. E. W. Alison as assessor for the claimants. Mr. V. R- Meredith and Mr. Armstead appear for claimants, and Mr. A. H Johnstone and Mr. J. Stanton for the City Council, who took over the buses last August.

Further evidence as to tlie condition of the buses was given to-day by Mr. W. J. Cousins, one of the expert witnesses called on behalf of the corporation. Mr. Cousins described the state of the various bus bodies. He said several of the vehicles showed signs of rough usage and in some instances the timberwork had deteriorated badly.

Cross-examined by Mr. Meredith, witness admitted that he had done a good deal of body building work for the City Council tramways department during recent years. He added that in every ease, in which he had obtained a contract it had been in opeu competition and as the firm presenting the lowest tender. A £7 CHASSIS. Replying to Mr. Johnstone, the witness said there was keen competition in the trade. He had valued the buses ou the factors of workmanship, material, design and general utility.

Mr. Meredith said he would ask the judge and assessors to inspect one of the buses which had been brought to the Court. This was a vehicle of which the chassis had been valued by the Corporation's expert at £7, and the whole vehicle at £G0 A/, yet it was in regular use by the Tramways Committee.

"It broke an axle on the way up hero this morning," said Mr. Johnsteue, amid laughter.

"It's all very well for my friend to be facetious," replied Mr. Meredith, "lut the bus is in full service. That is only an ordinary breakdown. It" carried its full complement of passengers this morning."

The hearing is proceeding.