HEAVY DAMAGES CLAIMED IN MINING CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17755, 27 January 1926, Page 14

HEAVY DAMAGES CLAIMED IN MINING CASE.

(Special to the “Star.”) GREYMOUTH, January 26. What was described as the biggest case of its kind to come before a New Zealand Court was commenced before Mr J. Meldrum at the Warden’s Court, at Grey mouth to-day when Boote and party proceeded against Armstrong and party. The plaintiffs are occupiers of a coal mine situated near Dunallie, on the State coal mine reserve and the defendants are the occupiers of a coal mine adjacent to that of the plaintiffs. Boote and party allege that on or about January 1, 1924, the defendants broke and entered the mine, trespassed thereon, and took away large quantities of coal. The mine was rendered useless to the plaintiffs, and absolutely unworkable, and water was allowed to percolate and flow into the plaintiffs’ mine in great quantities, and still continues to do so, causing great damage. The plaintiffs claimed dam ages as follows: Coal removed, 1450 tons, £ll6O. Coal rendered useless, 600 tons, £4BO. Cost of installing new pumps to cope with water, £56 10s. Cost of survey, £23 13s. Cost of pumping, £145 2s Gd. To reduction in output from plain tiffs’ mine through illegal trespass, £IOO. Damage from water, £4,160. Total damages claimed, £6125. After legal argument, the Warden held that the Court had jurisdiction, and fixed February 5 for the hearing of the case.