MR WOOD'S CLAIM AGAINST THE BOROUGH.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1055, 4 July 1883, Page 2

MR WOOD'S CLAIM AGAINST THE BOROUGH.

At the Borough Council on Monday evening the question of Mr Wood’s claim for compensation, which had been adjourned from the last ordinary meeting of the Council was again brought up. A letter from Mr Barton, on behalf of Mr Wood, dated the 27th April, which had been ordered to lie on the table some two months ago, was read. It stated that Mr Wood’s house had been much damaged and considerable expense incurred in connection with it, for which the sum of‘£Bo compensation was claimed. The Mayor stated that Mr Wood had said at the previous meeting lie would prefer a sum of money to the 10s a week which it had been agreed to give him, as he was afraid if Ihe works in connection with drainage were hurried on he would not receive that 10s long enough to recompense him for the damage he had sustained. 'Or Barton said that it was admitted that Mr Wood had suffered considerable loss, and Or Taplin and others had advised him to make a formal claim. Or Adams moved—“ That Mr Wood be informed that as he agreed with the Council to accept a rental of 10s in full satisfaction for any supposed claim he may have against the Council the Council cannot consider the matter any further.” In moving this resolution he thought they could hot do anything more than what had been done. The Council had agreed to give Mr Wood a rental of 10s a week. He stated he would be satisfied with that. Cr Taplin seems to have insinuated— Gr Taplin: (hotly, to the Mayor) I draw your attention to the Act'. The Mayor : Cr Taplin I ( Cr Taplin : I won’t have it. The Mayor: You must sit down. Cr : I ask your protection sir! I won’t have it from that individual! (Both councillors here commenced to rate each other soundly, but as both were speaking at the same time the gist of their remarks was unintelligible.) Cr Barton : I will explain what I said. I said that the night the proposition, was made that Mr Wood should receive 10s, Cr Taplin , and others suggested to him that he should make a formal claim instead of the roundabout way in which he was acting. After some discussion, Cr Aitchison moved as an amendment “ That in reply to Mr Wood’s further claim for compensation lie be informed that should; he prefer .a lump sum instead of the weekly rent already accepted by him, the amount; of £2O will be paid as settlement of all demands for alleged damage to his property by water.” He moved this because they did not know when the rent paying ai-rangement might cease, and it might run up to a large sum. He did not think the amount of £2O extravagant. They had already admitted the claim to a certain extent, and should this be accepted they would be done with the affair altogether. Cr Adams withdrew his motion .in favour of Cr Aitchison’s which was seconded by Cr Dixon, who thought it apparent that the Council had recognised Mr Wood s claim. He: thought if Mr Wood accepted this offer it would be much better for the Council and much better for himself, Cr Taplin moved as an amendment, “ That the whole of the words after ‘ that’ be struck out, and the following added, viz, ‘ a committee of the Council be appointed to inspect and report to the Council the actual damages sustained by Mr Wood through the surface water running on to Section 1, Block 1$; the committee to consist of Crs Paul, , Aitchison, and the Mayor, two to form a quorum* and to report at the next meeting.” Before asking for aseconder for this, he would like to say that he was one who considered Mr Wood justly entitled to compensation from the Council. There was no doubt he had suffered seriously from the water. He (the speaker) had seen him have to turn out ono_ night with his

family. Did it not stand to reason that the lower plates of the house must be rotten standing under water for so many months? He thought his resolution would give Mr Wood justice; be just to the Council and just to the ratepayers. He would be quite prepared to deal liberally with Mr Wood. They should not meet Mr Wood with a resolution like Cr Adams’. It was cruel 1 If Mr Wood had a claim he (Cr Taplin) would be there to support it. He gave them all warning of that, call him what

they liked. Cr Paul seconded the amendment which was lost upon a division and Cr Aitchison’s resolution carried. Cr Barton being interested did not vote. It yet remains to be seen if this offer will be accepted by Mr Wood, and if not, what further steps will be taken in the matter.