THE POINT RESOLUTION AFFAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9139, 22 August 1888, Page 5

THE POINT RESOLUTION AFFAIR.

[BY telegraph.SPEClAL correspondent.]

Wellington, Tuesday. The Special Powers and Contracts Act (1886) Amendment Bill is a measure to amend the Special Powers and Contracts Act, 1886, and carry into effect the report of a committee of the House of Representatives, respecting the purchase and resale by the Crown of certain land at Point Resolution, and otherwise in relation thereto. It is introduced by the Hon. T. W. Hislop, the Colonial Secretary. Clause 5 provides for the revocation of a proclamation taking certain land at Point Resolution, and declares all contracts in relation thereto void, subject to the provisions hereinafter contained. By the clause a certain part of the land at Point Resolution is to vest in the Crown. In the next clause, paragraph 1.3 of the first schedule to the Special Powers and Contracts Act, 1886, is repealed, and the certificate of title issued to P. Catherine Kissling is deemed to have been issued in error in respect to the land described in the third schedulo to the present Bill. By clause 6 further dealing with the land is prohibited until proceedings are completed under this Act, and in the next clause the district Land Registrar is required to call in the certificate to be cancelled. A certificate o.f title is to issue to the Trust Board, and a lease is to be granted t;o Mrs. Kissling. Provision is made in clause 10 for ascertaining the compensation in respect of such land—(l) in respect of the freehold interest of the Board; and (2) in respect of the leasehold interest of F. C. Kissling. The claimants for compensation shall be the Board and Mrs. Kissling, and the respondent the Minister of Public Works, the Compensation Court being held under the Public Works Act, ISB2. Clause 12 gives the basis of proceedings to determine the compensation, namely, the value of the wholeland originally taken, was £6000, and the Court according to the evidence shall have power to readjust the amounts of compensation to each of the parties. In the following clause it is provided that the parties may act in respect of prospective interests in case the land described in the third schedule is mortgaged, provision being made for dealing with the same. The awards and orders of the Compensation Court are to be conclusive, and it may order by whom the cost of any proceedings taken under this Act shall be paid, such order having the effect of a judgment of the Supreme Court. The powers of the District Land Registrar in the matter are defined. Clause IS provides that parties affected shall have no claim other than under this Act.