POWER LINES AND FARMS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28253, 15 April 1957, Page 10

POWER LINES AND FARMS

Compensation Question

The question of compensation by the State Hydro-electric Department to farmers whose operations are affected by transmission lines running across their properties is raised by a correspondent in a letter to the editor of “The Press.”

In his letter, the correspondent, signing himself “Greatly Concerned Farmer,” wrote: “In reading the article in ‘The Press’ of March 30, ‘Control of Wayward Creeks’ (in Waimate), I was astounded at the extra cost involved in part of the farmer’s top-dressing programme through the transmission lines being laid across his property. Could I inquire of the electric power authorities what compensation this farmer will receive for the great inconvenience, danger to himself and family, farm workers and stock, and the great extra expense for topdressing by air, which, in this case, will amount to something like £30,000 or more with compound interest over a period of about 40 years? 1 inquire so that the farmers on the hills south of Christchurch may know what to expect from a similar line being laid across their farms. They will be similarly affected, top-dressing by air as they do, and also spraying gorse.” This letter was referred to the general manager of the State Hydro-electric Department (Mr A. E. Davenport), who said that it was quite impossible for him to discuss questions of compensation in such general terms as those outlined in the correspondent’s letter.

“The owner of the property crossed by the department’s Roxburgh-Islington transmission line, and referred to in the article. ‘Control of Wayward Creeks,’ has lodged a claim for compensation in that connexion,” said Mr Davenport. “The claim is the subject of negotiation between the claimant and the department,” he said. Mr Davenport said that if the owner of any property crossed by one of the department’s transmission lines felt that he was aggrieved, the department would be happy to discuss his problems with him or* with his properly appointed agents. “It seems appropriate for me to say that the rights of owners of properties crossed by transmission lines appear to be protected adequately by the compensation provisions of the Public Works Act, 1928,” said Mr Davenport.