MATAKANA ISLAND

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 201, 4 May 1912, Page 8

MATAKANA ISLAND

ROBISON v. SANSON. JUDGMENT RESERVED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Before Mr. Justice Sim in the Supreme Court to-day, legal argument and counsels' addresses were heard in the Taranaki case of Morris Carr Robison v, Henry Sanson, jun., an action for specific performance of an agreement to exchange farm lands. Mr. H. D. Bell, K.C., with him Mr. J. B. Roy, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K. 0., with him Mr. R. Spence, for the defendant. Evidence in the case was heard in the course of a four days' sitting at New Plymouth. The land involved in the case is Matakana Island, a low lying stretch opposite Taurangi Island, some 8000 acres of land of which were purchased by Robison in 1910 at 12s 6d per acre. Robison effected a few hundred pounds' worth of improvements, and, after eleven months' occupation, sold to the defendant for £3 10s per acre. As part payment Robison took over defendant's farm of 1200 acres, a few miles out of Stratford, and a large sum remained on mortgage. Defendant took over Robieon's mortgage to Bayly (the original owner of Matakana) of £5470, so that in reality it was contended 'he paid £30,600 for a property which changed hands less than a year previously for under £5470. When it came to completing the agreement Sanson refused to proceed, alleging that plaintiff had been guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation. His Honor reserved judgment.