BIG SUMS AWARDED AGAINST CROWN

Chronicle (Levin), 3 April 1947, Page 7

BIG SUMS AWARDED AGAINST CROWN

-Press Association,

ti f 1 ; 11 By 1 Tel&araiDh-

WELLINGTON, April . 2. Sums totalling nloie than £126,000 with heavy costs were awarded againsi the Crown in the Oiiekaka, case judg ment delivered by his Honour Sir Archibald Blair in the presence of five of the six assessors who sat with him. The hua] Court hearing extended over 33 days, and 10 counsel were en gaged throughout. To the Golden Bay Ptv., Ltd., the award was £41,796, and to the Onekaka Iron and Steel Coy.,' £85,000. In the third case, that of Paciftc Steel, Ltd., the Court held that the eompany was not entitled to any compensation what soever against the Crowm. Agai'nst these judgnients there can be 110 further appeal and thus ends a case which for duration and coniplexity and huge sums involved takes high rank in New Zealand's legal history. The'mat ter first received lega'f 'attehtion in 1941 in Nelson when it came before tlie inining warden. The following year the warden's decision came before the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) on appeal and the hearing lasted seven days. In 1943 it went to the Court of Appeal and the hearing lasted 16 days. Finally it came before the specialiy constituted tribunal which has just delivered the final judginent. The Golden Bay Pty., Ltd., claimcd £75,000 for the loss of royalties, the Onekaka Iron and Steel Co. £144,550, and Pacilie Steel, Ltd., £375,000, the claims thus totalling. £594,550.