DAMAGES CLAIM

Grey River Argus, 17 June 1925, Page 5

DAMAGES CLAIM

OVER DAM BURSTING. PECULIAR CASE. MASTERTON. J«ne 16 The sequel to the heavy floods in December, when the bursting of a dam at Lansdowne caused considerable damage to residential property, came before the Borough Council this evening, when the Town Clerk announced that he had been served with five writs, the total amount claimed being £1991. The plaintiffs are:— Thomas Bacon £397; I). K. Logan £152, M. C. Marshall, £269; L. A. Wadham £966; and M. 11. Fly, £296. The defendants are the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of Masterton, the Chairman, Councillors and inhabitants of Masterton County, and the trustees in the estate of the late Mrs A. P. Williams, namely 11. G. Williams, G. C. Williams, Mrs E. A. Russell (London) and Mrs M. A. Burge (Wales). The claim is made against the defendants, jointly, severally, and in the alternative. The action is taken against the three parties on the following grounds:— (a) The Masterton Borough as being the occupiers and users of the land on which the dam is situated. (b) TheMasterton County for alterations to the dam which, it is alleged, weakened tho structure. (ej Against the trustees us owners of. the land. The Council has decided to defend > the action and to engage senior coun--1 sei. 1 Many owners whose property was I damaged at the time have not lodged claims.