TAIERI DRAINAGE ASSESMENT COURT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2857, 16 December 1908, Page 9

TAIERI DRAINAGE ASSESMENT COURT.

Mr : H. T. Widdowson, S.M., sat in the Assessment Court on the 11th to hear the last of the- appeals lodged by landholders against the classification of their properties by the Taieri Draiange Board valuers. Messrs J. MacGregor and F. G. Duncan appeared for the board. His Worship gave his reserved decision in the case of William Shand, owner of 851 acres classified as "A." His Worship lowered 51 acres of this area to class " D," and upheld the classification of the remaining 800 acres. In the case 'of William Lindsay, hoHer of 35 acres classed as "A," evidence was given showing that the land was high, had" no depressions that would hold water, and had no ditches, drains, or watercourses. The classification was reduced to .class "B."

•In John Sutherland's case his 171 acres were ofeseified "A." Evidence was given, and by consent 25 acres were reduced to class "D." His Worship further placed 15 acres in class '*A," and 131 acres in clasa " D." Mr W. Allan appeared for the three above appellants. His Worship had reserved his decision as to the question of costs, and Mr MacGresor applied for same, but stated that no costs were asked in cases where reductions were> made by compromise. After hearing Messrs Woodhouse, Finch, Macassey, Stephens, Allan, and Callan, his "Worship reserved his decision. Before rising he expressed bia thanks to all those professional gentlemen who had appeared before him for fcL« great assistance they had given to th« court.