BIG CLAIMS FOR RAISING LEVEL OF TAUPO

Chronicle (Levin), 16 October 1947, Page 3

BIG CLAIMS FOR RAISING LEVEL OF TAUPO

Press AssociationJ

(Per

XS I'j \ V X'Ij X A1U L lJtl, Ul't. 10. tSaered, cotninunity-owned, and pri vato property steeped in Maori tradition were the suhject of claiins heard by the Lake Taupo Control Gompensation Court yesterdav, wlien it began a fortnight's sitting at Tokaanu te assess damage eaused by raisiug the level of the lake for liydro-electric purposes. With the township of Tokaanu fatea for reiuoval to a new site, as t'ar as is known at present the claims involve all land and existing buildings in the area, ineluding sonie po])ular tourist attraetions. More thau 200 cases eoneerning Tokaanu and villages in the vicinitv are to l >e heard. As many as l(i7 of the claims have been lodged by the Aotea Distnct Native Land Board as trust ee for ihe owuers. The aniount sought as compensation in tlie districl totals alruost £200,0(10, tliough in hoiho of the eiaims, not lodged by the board, considerabJe modification may be uecessary. These eiaims were assessed on the maximuni level of 1179 feet above sea level, Imt the Lake Taupo Compensation CJaims Act provides for coniputation of damage at 1177 feet. Flooding, waterlogging, erosion and loss of value have allegedly been eaused by ihe lake control. The claims which are being heard bv >Sir Ilarold Johnston (a former Judge of the -Suprcmo Court) and Judge E. AI. Beechy, of the Native Land Court, range in size from a few pounds to £30,215. One of the most interesting cases eoncerns land used as a marae- at Tokaanu. rriie Maori community's claim is for £.5.'127, it being pointed out that on the land there is a meetiug house which Maori sentiinent will uot allow to be removed aml which is so constructed that its removal is difticult or ini[)ossible. The future of the Tokaanu Hotel, at present eondueted by the Tourist and Health Resorts Department, is Ihe subject of a claim for £5950. Known as "the tliroc wet acres", the site of the hotel is the only plaee in the lving Counlry where Prohibilion does not apply. " The only Tokaanu geyser's f'ailure to play sinee the raising of the hiko, is one of the grounds of a claim for £1000. Other hot pools have allegedly been ruined and are the suhject oi claims. Churches are involved in two claims. Large claims have been lodged by several Tokaanu business men for the etfects of the lake control on their businesses and buildings.