A Big Law Suit.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 84, 6 October 1897, Page 2

A Big Law Suit.

o Litigation involving nearly a quarter of a million of tnonsy, and of serious moment to the Government, will he begun m the Supreme Court on Friday. There are really two cases — Salisbury and another v. the Hon. John McKenzie, and T. Purvis Russell v. the Hou. John McKenzie. The facts are that the Minister of Lands has taken steps under the Lauds for Settlement Act of 1894 to effect a compulsory purchase of the Hatuma Estate, in the Hasvke's Bay district. The plaintiff in each of these cases is now soekiug an injunction from the Supromo Court to restrain the Minister of Lands from proceeding with the j purchase under the Act upon the ground j that the preliminary negotiations contemplated by tho Act were net made by tho Minister. The case will he heard at the next sitting of the Supr.jme Court, j but the whole question of dispute will ! be raised by an application for an iq. terim injunction ou Friday next. The estate is 57,000 acres in ertteut ; Mr • Russell is owner iv fee simple of 2-2,000 1 acres aud life tenant of 5000 ucces more,

in which 5000 acres Mr Saiusbury and others are the trustees. Dr Findlay and Mr P. E. Baldwin are appearing for the Minister of Lands, and Mr Chapman for the plaintiffs in each action.