COMPENSATION COURT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 18 March 1908, Page 5

COMPENSATION COURT.

(Per Press Association. )

CHRIStCHURCHi March 17

In :tho;• CpmpenSeftibn- \Gdfart£ ' ttv-dayy rQ;:the> Cuiyerden i^ite;,.;%he,vca^ifor:'the. trustees was closed, and Dr. Findlay opened the case for the ''"Government,, calling, Dv: 42V "Clarke,' Govern^ meijt accountant, who- gaveevidenbe ?as to the Government's: basis of valuation. Giving eVidehce for the Trustees, one witness said:the'estate was^wortl* over £144,544.. or £6 10s per acri?.. and "he could make 9 per cent; on thatv by^Vfyil-r tivating all pioughable land and iising crossbreds instead, of merinos..

His Honour remarked regarding the (9_ per cent., " Yet farmers grumble; You, are basing your figures on a continuance of existing cpnditiohs ? " v;.. Witness replied that the - last two years were the worst he had seen m Canterbury/but he would be, sorry to work for less than 9 per cent. In opening the case for the 'Crown, Dr. Findlay stated^that the average value estimated b^Vhis witnesses would be fully £25,000 less than the lowest value given by any of claimants' witnesses, and just £45.000 below the amount requested by the claimants. The Crown values would be based on t^e actual capacity as distinguished from the potential capacity given of the estate and its actual earnings, instead of the speculative possibilities of the income. :..-.