CULVERDEN ESTATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13702, 19 March 1908, Page 6

CULVERDEN ESTATE.

CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION

EVIDENCE FOR THE CROWN

[BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CHHISTCHUB.CH, Wednesday. The Compensation Court eat again to-day to hear further evidence in regard to the claim for compensation lor die Culverden Estate, compulsorily acquired by the Crown under the Lands for Settlement Act. Evidence on behalf of the Crown was continued. .las. Stevenson, farmer, Klaxlon, stated that, in his opinion, the estate was purely pastoral or sheep country. His valuation of the estate, including the unleased portion of the township, was £98,060. John G. A. Ruddenklau, farmer, Fernside, agreed with the other witnesses for the Crown in their description of the estate generally. He valued the block at £94,777 4s, the unoccupied town lands at £600, and the buildings at £2510. making a total of £97,887 Is. John Allen, .sheep fanner, Waihari, considered that the present use to which the estate was put was the best possible. His valuation of the estate was £102,127 16s, with improvements, ami the unleased por-, (ion of the township hauls he valued at £600. George King, farmer, Nelson, said he had put. a, value on the block according to its marketable value last year. Hi:; valuation was £102,275 15s, including the unleased portion of the township sections. fit. Hertslett, farmer, Waimate, said he valued the estate at, £98,406, excluding buildings and township lands. This closed the case for the Crown. Mr. Stringer said that an agreement had been come to in regard to the leaser! portion of (.he estate (12 acres of the township), the Crown agreeing to pay £2216. He pointed out that the trustees had given sections for a church and school, and that the sections had not been legally transferred. No claim was made in respect to them, but the trustees would like an assurance that the Crown would devote them to the purposes for which they were given. Mr. Findlay said that no agreement had been come to, but he had offered no evidence regarding the leased township lands. He could give no undertaking regarding the school and church sections. His Honor said that he would allow an amendment, of the claim, if necessary, as Mr. Findlay could not give an undertaking.

Mr. Stringer: I think it may be safely left to the Minister.

A chamber sitting was held in the afternoon, and several matters connected with the acquisition were discussed. It was stated that the elaimahits would give possession on the 30th inst., and it was arranged that they should not be liable for the land tax, after that date. • An undertaking was given by Mr. Findiay that the proclamation would not be issued until the lessees of part of the kind taken, or the other persons interested, had had an opportunity to put in their claims. Messrs. Stringer and Findlay were requested to forward a memorandum to His Honor, embodying their agreement on these points.

The Court was adjourned until Monday next, and His Honor remarked that his decision might be ready by that time.