A LAND CLAIM.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 824, 24 February 1903, Page 3

A LAND CLAIM.

At tho mooting of tho Cook County Council yesterday, a lotter was received from Mr W. G. Foster, of Wellington, trustee for Wi Pero and others, in regard to a claim for laud taken at Poututu for tho stock track. Tho total demand was £6OO, tho claim being for 3 acres 3 roods 8 porchos of land, loss of river frontage, and water for stock being cut off. The writer also pointed out that artificial and uuroliablo water supply had to bo provided for his stock, and the fonces on the land taken were lost. Tho station garden had also boen included in tho land taken. Tho rood takon was, he said, of no uso to tho station, but, on the other hand, come through the homestoad, and tho traffic disturbed tho stock.

Cr White : Ho is a erodit to tho district. Cr Clayton : Somothiug that wo ought to bo proud of. Tho Chairman : You must remember that this letter emanates from Wellington, so that wo cannot expect much sympathy from a resident of that place. Cr Clayton : I don’t know that. He has an agent hore, and besides Mr Foster is often here himself. The Chairman ; Ho says that he will be soriously injured by tho loss of the river frontago ; that ho will have to fonco tho road lino for a distance of twenty-three chains, and that tho station garden is included in tho laud taken. “ I am not so suro about tho fences,” remarked Captain Tucker ; “ I think that wo will have to pay that.” Cr White : I inspected tho garden, and thore woro only throo gooseberry bushes. Cr Gray: Is there nothing claimed for moral or intellectual damages ? Tho Chairman: You had bottor say nothing about that, or we shall havo anothor demand. (Laughter.) Cr Harding: If tho finances of tho Council wero in anything like a flourishing condition I should proposo that tho lotter bo framed and hung up. (Laughter.) Cr Clayton : Tho wholo correspondence might woll bo dealt with in that way. Tho Chairman : You will havo time to bring any motion on before April. Tho Supreme Court is sitting then. Cr Clayton: I would willingly contribute a shilling or so to havo that letter placed in a conspicuous place. Tho Chairman said tho claim would come boforo tho Supremo Court in April for hearing.