CONPENSATION CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10063, 30 August 1918, Page 7

CONPENSATION CASE

WILLIS STREET WIDENING THE DDK® OF EDINBURGH HOTEL. The case was continued the Sn preme Court yesterday before Mr Jus tice Hosking in which compensation i claimed from the Wellington City Cor poration by the Duke’s Buildings, Ltd. in connection with the Willis strce; widening scheme. The claim is fo; £11,740 oh account of the reduc ten of the Duke of Edinburgh Hote site. Associated with His Honour an Messts C. B. Mori son, K.C., and G H. Scales, as assessors, representing th< City Council and the Duke’s Buildings. Ltd., respectively. Mr M. Myers anc Mr G. G. Watson appear for the plaintiff company; and Air A. Gray, K.C., and Mr J. O’Shea for the City Council. ■ Giving evidence for the defence Thomas - Dwan. of Dwan Bros.; land agente and hotel brokers, stated that he had been in business for 35 years and he was a member of the Assess-j ment Court as assessor for the City Corporation. He was of opinion that if the plans for an alteration of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel as prepared by Mr Mitchell were carried out the value of the property would be enhanced. , - ■■■ - ■ ■■ ■ ; Walter L. Thompson, a builder, with 33 years’ experience, considered that the plans prepared by Mr Slit-: chell presented a workable scheme of reconstruction. They . would make the hotel building more compact. In Slay last he had prepared an estimate of the! cost of carrying out the proposed alterations amounting to £3321. rho; alterations could he carried out m: three months. , ~ Archibald SI. Wilson, builder, said, his price for the. alterations in .Slay. was £2379- This amount would uowi have to he increased by 25 per cent . James Ames.- the city valuator, gave: evidence as to the valuations set upon properties in the vicinity of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel corner. His opinion; was; that the increase of business would make up for the loss of frontage. The claims made, he said > a valuation of no less than £-00,000 an aiore. ■ . , ■ The case was adiourncd until to-day.