THE FLAXBOURNE ESTATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 10

THE FLAXBOURNE ESTATE.

THE DECISION OF THE COURT.

BLENHEIM, April 19.

The Compensation Court sat at 9 o'clock this morning, and announced its decision in the case Clifford v. the Minister of Lands, a claim of £335,000, in respect to the compulsory acquisition of the Flaxbourne Estate. The Chief Justice said he was glad to bs able to announce that the court had come to a unanimous agreement. It assessed the price to bo paid for tho land taken (approximately 45,600 acres) at £172,175. In addition it assessed the los 3 caused by disturbance of business at £7500, and the costs to be paid by respondent to claimants at £2000. Ihe total of the*e sums was £181,675. In accordance with an agreement between the parties the court fixed the rate of interest to be paid as from 31st March, 1903 (the date of giving up possession), at 5 per cent, per annum until payment of the amount awarded. The judge fixed assessors' costs at 10gs each per day (eight days sittings) ; each party to pay his own assessor. The court then rose finally.

(From: Oxjr Own Coebesfoxdent.) WELLINGTON, April 19.

Tho Flaxbonrne "Estate, judgment in regard to which was given to-day, was taken over by the Government in 1903 by proclamation. The owners then put a value of £410,000 on the complete e-state, and a Compensation Court, presided over by Mr Justice Ccoper, sab in December to settle the dispute" between the owners and the Government, but the court failed to agree on an award. Subsequently the present case was instituted. A block of 11,688 acres has been reserved to the owners, the Government taking over the balance of 45,811 acres. For this area the owners claimed £320,000, plus £15,000. subsequently increased to £20,000, for depreciation and loss in connection with the forced sale of stock. The Government offered £141,000, urging that to giva anything more would be to put a special bur-den on the taxpayer, and would necessitate a vote from Parliament to balance the accounts. Thus it will be seen that the award just made is £40,000 more than the Government offered but £159,000 below the owners' claim. It has been stated that at the previous hearing of the case the claimants, through their assessor, could not see their way to reduce the claim below £208,000.