£8833 AWARDED AS COMPENSATION

Otaki Mail, 15 December 1943, Page 4

£8833 AWARDED AS COMPENSATION

WELLINGTON, Dec. 13. An amount of £8833 was awarded to Forests Farms and Products Limited by the Court of Compensation on its claim against the Crown for compensation for the taking of the Waiouru run. The award stated that the claim was for the difference found between the value of the land taken and the amount owing to the Crown. The amount owing to the Crown was £46,SGG. From the value and the interest from the time of the taking to the date, which the Court found was £55,700, the balance was £8533 which would be awarded as compensation. Bates and land tax would be apportioned. Bespondents would pay assessors’ fees (12 guineas each for five days) plus £4OO to claim ant for costs, disbursements and wit nesses’ expenses. Counsel for claimants, addressing the Court, said the best evidence of the productive value and carrying capacity of the run was that of experienced fanners in the district who*had testified for claimants. The Crown had not called these men but relied largely on the evidence of scientists. The evidence of soil experts was not a basis on -which a willing purchaser would value the property nor would he go to Massey College or secure aerial photographs. The Solicitor-General submitted that except for two small areas the run was valueless. Experience at Karioi had shown that land of that altitude was unsuitable for afforestation.