FARMERS' DISPUTE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 63, 15 March 1944, Page 6

FARMERS' DISPUTE

GREAT BARRIER CASE

A dispute between neighbouring farmers at.Tryphena, Great Barrier Island, was the subject of an action heard by Mr. Justice Johnston today, when Gordon G. M. Osborne (Mr. Glaister) claimed £50 damages against George Todd (Mr. Drummond),

Opening the case, Mr. Glaister said .the plaintiff's holding of 600 acres was some distance from his homestead, raising difficulty about transporting his wool, which required the use of an unformed boundai-y road. Trouble arose on account of defendant, in the course of clearing part of his boundary at this surveyed road on a lidge. erecting a fence partly on the road. Plaintiff claimed that this fence on the road seriously interfered with his operations of driving his sheep to and from the homestead. There had been negotiations between the parties and the county council without any agreement being reached. Plaintiff testified as to the difficulty created by the fence when he had occasion to drive his sheep over the road. He had made an estimate of the loss and extra expense to him, which he put at £47.

In cross-examination witness maintained that, owing to the steep nature of the land, the position could not be improved much by clearing the bush on his side of the road. (Proceeding)