BURNED BY ORDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14809, 12 October 1911, Page 8

BURNED BY ORDER.

HARDSHIP OF A PROPERTY OWNER. A CASE FOR COMPENSATION. fur TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL CORBE3POMDENT.] Wellington*, Wednesday, * Fctither consideration is to be given to the petition of John E. Kelsall, of Onehunga., for compensation for the destruction of his property at Onehunga, which was burned under the direction of the Public Health Department, acting on a stipendiary magistrate's order, as cases of plague had occurred in the building. The Public Petitions (A to L) Committee reported to the House of Representatives this afternoon that it had no recommendation to make, and Mr. Lang (Manukau) moved that the report should, be referred back to the committee. Ha said that the building had been destroyed in the interests of the whole community, and the Stat© should recompense the owner, who had been required to make the sacrifice for the public benefit. The motion was seconded by Mr. Myers (Auckland East). The Primo Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) agreed that when property was destroyed in the interests of the public the State should certainly make good the loss suffered by the individual, who might be, as in the present instance, an innocent victim of circumstances. (Hear, hear.) He hoped the report , would be referred back in order that the Government might give careful consideration to the petition, and also "to the general application of the claim. ' The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Massey) added that the case was undoubtedly one of very serious hardship, for which the petitioner was entitled to compensation. V The amendment was carried on the voices.