WAIWETU LAND CASE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 69, 14 December 1939, Page 13

WAIWETU LAND CASE

Court Awards £11,983

Judgment in the Waiwetu land case was given yesterday by Mr. Justice Blair in the Compensation Court, Wellington. The Court awarded £11,983 10/-, and easement in terms of the agreement. It awarded to the claimants their costs, fixed at £125, and disbursements and witnesses’ expenses to be settled by the registrar on tlie Supreme Court scale. Fees for both assessors were fixed at £lO5 each. Respondent was the Minister of Public Works and claimants were Alexander Kenneth Scobie Mackenzie and Cheviot Wellington Dillon Bell, solicitors, as registered proprietors, Margaret Sara Johnston, wife of Mr. Justice Johnston, Iris Brenda Kolleston, widow, Beatrix Enid Bell, spinster, Violet Caroline Denniston, married woman, and Cheviot Wellington Dillon Bell, as beneficial owners. They said that they advised the Government that their price for the 21 acres 2 roods 8.8 perches in question would be £750 an acre, whereas the Government offered them £5OOO for the whole of the land. The claim was for £17,244. The Crown’s offer as adduced in evidence was £5OOO.

The assessors were Mr. H. F. O’Leary, K.C., and Mr. F. W. Fiirkert. Mr. P. B. Cooke, K.C., and Mr. R. C. Christie appeared for claimants and Mr. A. E. Currie and Mr. C. 11. Rogers for the Crown.