BUSINESS SITE TAKEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 215, 11 September 1929, Page 3

BUSINESS SITE TAKEN.

COMPENSATION INADEQUATE. JUDGE CRITICISES CITY COUNCIL. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. "It is not fair," declared the Chief Justice, the Hon. M. Myers, when referring to an action of the Wellington City Council. His Honor was hearing a claim for compensation amounting to £10,850, made by John Randolph Johnson. Johnson has a joinery factory in Alma Lane, and the land has been taken by the City Council under the Wellington City Milk Supply Act, 1919. "Here is a man with property on which there is an established business," his Honor said, "and the corporation authorities Bay they are going to take the property, and give another area of land to replace the land taken. ,The man dispossessed has to go to the expense of erecting buildings, etc., on the land offered, and I say that is not fair. "The Compensation Court, I feel sure, will not agree to that. It is not just." Mr. J. O'Shea, city solicitor, said that in claiming £6000 more than the value of the land offered claimant was making an unfair demand. If he had come with a reasonable offer the position might have been different. The Chief Justice: That is not the point. It was the duty of the corporation to make a reasonable proposal. Mr. O'Shea: Johnson would not have accepted any offer. His Honor and Mr. T. C. A. Hislop (appearing for claimant): You cannot say that. His Honor: On what we have before us neither side has been reasonable. If they had the city would have been saved £2000. The public are the sufferers. Mr. Hislop: The offer to-day is only £4000. His Honor: Your client is just as bad.