CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1934, Page 7

CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION

TAWA FLAT DEVIATION.

QUESTION OF ACCRUED VALUES.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, June 22,

The Full Court has under consideration a question arising out of the taking of certain land for the purposes of the Tawa Flat deviation of the Welling-ton-Palmerston North railway. The claimants, Tawa Central, Ltd., and Ella Hoare, both claimed before the Compensation Court in April and May for compensation in respect of land taken, also for injurious affection with respect to other lands belonging to them. Tire construction of the deviation commenced in 1927, so that by September, 1931 (the date at which the value of the land taken had to be ascertained), the land in the vicinity of the deviation had greatly increased in value. The respondent, the Minister of Public Works, contended that in fixing compensation no account should be taken of such increase.

The president of the Compensation Court tentatively ruled in favour of the claimants and stated the case for the Supreme Court, which was asked to decide whether any such value accrued to the lands as at September, 1931, is to be included or excluded for the purpose of assessing compensation. If the president’s ruling is upheld the Tawa Central, Ltd., will be entitled to £2OOO plus interest, and Ella Hoare to £4OO plus interest. Should the Court decide in favour of the respondent the compensation will be reduced to £865 and interest and £175 and interest respectively.