LAND FOR RAILWAYS

Evening Star, Issue 21753, 22 June 1934, Page 8

LAND FOR RAILWAYS

VALUE INCREASED BY DEVIATION SHOULD INCREASE AFFECT COMPENSATION ? [Pee United Peess Association.] WELLINGTON. June 22. _ The Full Court has under consideration a question arising out of the taking of certain land for the purposes of the Tawa Flat deviation of the Wei-lington-Palmerston North railway. The claimants—Tawa Central Ltd. and Ella Hoare—both claimed before the Compensation Court in April and May for compensation in respect of land taken, and also for injurious affection in respect of other lands belonging to them* The construction of the deviation commenced in 1927, so that by September, 1931 (the date at which the value of the land taken had to be ascertained) land in the vicinity of the deviation had greatly increased _ in value. _ The respondent, the Minister of Public Works, contended that, in fixing compensation no account should be taken of such increase. The president of the Compensation Court tentatively ruled in favour of the claimants, hut stated a case for, the Supreme Court, which is now asked to decide whether any such value accrued to the said lands as at September, 1931, is to be included, or excluded, for the purpose of assessing compensation. If the president’s ruling is upheld, Tawa Central Ltd. will be entitled to £2,100, plus interest, and Ella Hoare to £4OO. plus interest. Should the court decide in favour of the respondent, compensation will be reduced to £865 and interest and £l7O and interest respectively.