LAW REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1743, 7 May 1913, Page 5

LAW REPORTS.

SUPREME COURT.

CASE BEFORE A FULL BENCH. COMPENSATION LAW. An Auckland case, in which the Crown was concerned, occupied the attention of a full Bench of the Supremo Court yesterday afternoon. Tho Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) presided, and sitting with him wero Mr. Justice Denniston, Mr. Justice Edwards, Mr. Justice Cooper, and Mr. Justice Chapman. The matter came before the Court in the form of a special case stated by Mr. Justice Cooper, President'of the Compensation Court at Helensville, to settle a general question of law. Tho parties wero: Robert Boss, farmer, of Kaiwaka, claimant, and tho Minister for PuClic Works, respondent. Mr. M. G. M'Gregor, of Auckland, appeared for the claimant, while the Attorney-General (the Hon. A. 11. Herdman) appeared for the respondent. Bobert Boss, the claimant, oivns two blacks of land, through which the Helens-ville-North Auckland railway runs. He filed a claim for compensation in respect of land taken, and other land injuriously affected. During the hearing of this claim, the question arose as to whether tho Court, when assessing compensation, should take into account any increaso in value when such increase is common to all the lands in the district. Tho question, as to whether the Court should deduct for betterme-nt in the case of a special increase in value of the lands affected, did not enter into tho argument. Addresses of counsel occupied an hour and a half, the Court reserving decision.

HOW MUCH FOR TOWING? Argument* was concluded in the Court of Appeal yesterday in an appeal from an Admiralty Court decision, on a claim for salvage in connection with the towing of the disabled sailing vessel Wanganui on September 21 and 22 last. For the hearing of the appeal, Mr. Justice Edwards, Mr. Justice Cooper, and Mr. Justice Chapman were on the Bench. There had been two claims against the ship, one by the Arapawa, and another by the ICapiti, and the Court had awarded JE3OO in the decision now appealed from. Mr. C. B. Morison, K.C., with him Mr. W. H. D. Bell, appeared for the appellants (owners of the Wanganui), while Mr. E. K. Kirkcaldie appeared for the respondents. . After hearing argument the Court reserved deoision, LIST OF CRIME CHARGES. At the criminal sessions of the Supreme Court, whic'h open on Monday next, cases are set down for hearing as follow;— Allan Moody, and Harold Bronson, alleged conspiracy to defraud. Patrick' O'Donnell, alleged, wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. George Williams, alleged perjury. Samuel Francis Aitken, alleged perjury. Vincent Furniss and George Patrick M'Namara, alleged assault causing actual bodily harm. Georgo Butler Lusk,' alleged theft (ten charges). Walter Litchfield, charge of causing threatening letter to be received. Carl Pedersen, alleged breaking and entering. Fitzgerald Clark, alleged assault, causing actual bodily harm.