CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 277, 27 November 1906, Page 3

CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION.

Mr R, W. Dyevj, S.M., and' Messrs F. Armstrong and P. (J. Ew.ington, assessors, were engaged,at the S.*l. Court to-day "hearing further, evidence in the claim for; compensation brought' by"W.." C.' Hlgham aud/T: Hlgham agaiist the Auckland. City' CouhclV in connection with the waterworks,: andjthe alleg-ed damage to their- respective properties through lessening thei quppl'y of water In the stream.' The amount 'claimed by Wwas £100, and >by ;T. Hlgham Mr -J. c. Martin appeared for the City. Council, aud Mr M. McGregor for the claimants. , •■-.- - r j , • Edward Taylor, foreman ■'.'•for. "the". , : Clty. Couticil at Nihotupu, deposed that the stream was no good as a fence nor'for flotage of timber. By Mr McGregor: He knew- that in the past.hundreds of logs had been floated down the Huia. stream. ~ ;,,■,:■: .: G. L. teacoeke; agent, valued- T. -Higham 8 land at 23/ per. acre, and-considered 10 per .cent-would be full liberal compensation. - . '. .;. v.. . Mr T. /Cheeseniau deposed to the' Aeellihatfeation- Society having liberated- trout iri various streams in the Waikumete and'Waltakerel , Hanges, but without"'much 'siiccessT He thought the streams contained too little water in summer anad not enough deep' POOIS. , - V; , . ■•, •>-■ J • 3- J. Reynolds. Government valuer, deposed to'valuing- W; C. Higham's'property in 1902 at £215, inclusive of improvements. Mr Higham agreed that was a. fair valuation. ■• T. Higham's properties he''valued at the same time—tot 17 for £42 (it was'purchased for £45 5/) and: Lot 14 for £89.' Land had not-improved iv value-thei-e-during-the-last few years. Twenty, years ago .land in that neighbourhood sold -tor £3 'per acre, and more recently the eanic property soid at 10/ per; acre.. :" .;>•.'/.-». .- /Mr McGregor: As a rule, I suppose, people -do upt-want you to value their property too high?" + "' —~.-. \ViiteLess,: Kot unless they want .toborrp^r ; money or sell the property. : •■ George/Joseph Garland, agent,.Auckland, deposed that he had been a-farmer in-New Zealand for over 20 years. - He. had inspected the in question. * HJgham's, jun., property was very-poor; and rough. He : saw rimu, inatai, and mixed bush," but no; kaurh; He valuedithe.land'atilO/per acre. -The ;creek was no boxiridarj' fence excepting In flbod; timer "If. a*man"~jwt' a7 mill-up,-his power would be affected.'.by. loss' of; water in dry summers. ..He considered .£SO would -be-full! compensation 'to Higham; "Jnn.- -'if. the whole Huia stream. w as, cut off it'would not damage 1 Mr Highain's, senior, pasturage, as ouly king? tides could flood the-16w-lying' : land fwithsalt water.- ,•■■-:-■-:"'' . 1 . - (Proceecling.i