A PAMOA COMPENSATION CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10413, 10 April 1897, Page 5

A PAMOA COMPENSATION CASE.

[utf TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ' Paeroa, Friday. The Native Land Court sut to-day to hear Mrs. Nicholl's claim against the Public VYol'ks Depnrtmont for compeneatiuu for the railway station site taken from her land. Mr. B. G. 15. Moss appeared for the Public. Works Department, and Mr. l'hbs. Cotter (of Auckland) and E. W. Porritfc appeared for Mrs. Nicholls. Air. Moss stated that the claim was for £1040 for tlio land, at £450 per acre, aitd iiIOOO for the severance of the land by cutting off direct access to Paeroa township. Mrs. Nicholls owned 90 acres, ttnd the Department imd taken nearly three acres at the end nearest Paeroa. Mr. Charles R. Viokermau, the engineer in charge, deposed that the site was entered oil and work at station commenced iu Match, 1895, the land then being partly reclaimed swamp without auy hoiiats on it, although how it was drained ahd had many buildings erected dh it. Thomas Shaw, the overseer on the line, corroborated this statement. Evidence of the value of the land, two years ago, Was givell, and the valuation foil was produced, showing that the land was rated iii April, 1895, at £4 per ucfe. Mr. Moss contended then, that the date of entry to construct the station was the date at which the value should be assessed, and that the claim for severance could hot be entertained. Mr. Cotter then withdrew the claiiri for severance, and called Several witriesses, who valued the land taken at from £400 to £800 per acre. Xhe evidence showed that iu the early part of 1895, land here'increased steadily in value, but that between October, 1895, and Aprilj 1896, it trebled in value, ami lias gone on increasing Sitliie slowly. Mi , , Cotter and Mr. Moss then addressed the Court, aiid Judge Maif reserved his decision till to-morrow.