LAND TAKEN BY CROWN

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29237, 22 June 1960, Page 8

LAND TAKEN BY CROWN

Maori Appeal On Compensation

(New Zeatana Press Association) ROTORUA, June 21.

Land on which much of the industrial development of Mount Maunganui is taking place was taken by the Crown in 1952 for “better utilisation.” The compensation to be paid to the former Maori owners is still being argued in a case that has had repercussions as far afield as the Privy Council.

Today, in Rotorua, the Maori Appellate Court began a sitting at which it will consider an appeal by the former Maori owners against the amount of compensation granted—£3s.B46.

Members of the Court are Judges J. Smith (Gisborne), M. A. Brooke (Auckland), and G. J. Jeune (Wellington). Mr K. L. Sandford, Crown solicitor at Hamilton, is appearing for the Crown, and Mr E. D. Morgan (Tauranga) for the Maori Trustee and the former Maori owners. The land totals 134 acres, of which 91 acres is one block. The land lies near the deep water at Mount Maunganui on Tauranga harbour, and the Maoris claimed £109,011 in compensation. They argued that, apart from its obvious value for subdivision, the land had always been recognised as having value for port development, Mount Maunganui being the only natural deep sea port between Auckland and Wellington.

Although it lies near the new wharf, with a frontage to the eastern shore of Tauranga harbour, the land has not been used for the construction of harbour facilities. About five acres is being used for railway extensions, and the remainder has been offered for sale by the Crown for industrial development. The appeal now being heard in Rotorua is solely against the amount of compensation granted.