MAORIS CLAIM £4975.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15142, 5 November 1912, Page 5

MAORIS CLAIM £4975.

THE SEWER AT ORAKEI.

DRAINAGE BOARD IN COURT.

The claim for £4975 compensation, made by Wiremn Watene Taufare and others, representing the native owners of the Orakei block, against the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board, came before Mr. Justice Cooper and Messrs. W. M. Duncan and Geo. Elliot, assessors, at tho Supreme Court yesterday. Mr. C. J. Schnauer, who appeared for the natives, stated that the Orakei block, of 40 acres, had been given to the natives in 1873 as a kaianga, or place for settlement. Recently a portion of the main sewer, about four feet in height, had been placed across the waterfront by the Drainage Board, who thereby deprived the natives of the advantages formerly derived from the use of the Orakei beach. A sura of £3500 was therefore claimed in respect to the deprivation of riparian rights, and a further sum of £1000 was claimed for depreciation owing to the presence of the sewer and its general unsightliness. Additional sums of £250. £150, and £75 were claimed for depreciation resultant upon the backing up of water unable to get away, for an area of about a quarter of an. acre forming the bed of the sower, and for land cut off from the main block.

Mr. T. Cotter, K.C., with him Mr. R. MoVeagh, appeared for defendants. . The. Court, after hearing evidence in support of the claim, adjourned until this morning.