NEWTON LAND CLAIM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17633, 20 November 1920, Page 8

NEWTON LAND CLAIM.

IMPROVEMENT OF A CORNER. DISPUTE AS TO VALUE. The acquisition by the City Council in 1914, of approximately three-quarters of a perch of land, at. the corner of Kttrangahapo Road and Queen Street, Newton, for the purpose of improving the "corner, in view of tho laying of the Upper Queen Street tram-line, had a sequel yesterday at a sitting of a Compensation Court, comprising Mr., Justice Cooper and Messrs. J. H, Jackson and 15, J. Esam, assessors. A claim was made for £ISOO compensation for the taking of the land by tho Guardian Trust and Executors Company of Now Zealand, Ltd., as trustees of the estate of Thomas Belcher, deceased. Mr. Prendergast appeared for the claimants, and Mr. Stanton and Mr, Johnstone for the City Council. • ■ ■-< ~ ; The Court visited the site, and afterwards heard evidence as to values from 0. F. Bennett, in support of tho claim, and by H. E. Vailo and W, E. Bush, city engineer; op behalf of tho City Council. It was stated that tlio lato Mr, Belcher Rave to the council on? piece of land at tho corner before the second piece, in respect of which the claim was made, was taken.. Mr, Johnstone said the amount claimed was absurd, as it worked out at £21,500 for the,section, or £320,000 an aero. For tho claimants it was stated that the piece taken was the " eye" of the section. . ■ The Court reserved it's decision until this morning. , ■