COMPENSATION COURT

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 913, 11 June 1903, Page 4

COMPENSATION COURT

THE WAIO-HIHAEORE SECTIONS

At the Native Land Court yesterday, hearing of the compensation cases in reyard to the land taken on the Wai o hiharore block by the Borough and County’ Councils for abattoirs and cemetry, was resumed before His Honor Judge Mair. The evidence given on behalf of the local bodies showed that the land was worth from £5 to £0 an aero. Mr W. L. Rees, who appeared for the Native owners, called a number of witnesses, the first being Mr lan Simsou, Government Valuator, who valued the land at £2O an acre. J. B. Kells, auctioneer, said that £2O was the lowest extreme limit at which he could place the value of the land. He had been 51 years m business in Gisborne, and during the last three years there had been a considerable appreciation of the values of property in and about Gisborne. Prices were not likely to go down to any extent. The limited quantity of land along the sea beach would enhance the valuo of the Awapuni sections. Br Mr Chrisp : In April, 1902, he would have valued the Awapuni land at £l7 per acre, and in a little over a year they had enhanced a seventh in their value. At the present time there would hardly bo a demand for sections at Awapuni for building sites, but judging from the expansion of tbo town in five years the land would cut up. William Henry Tucker did not think he would lose anything if ho took the land at £25 an acre. He did not know where an acre of laud could bo got in Gisborne within the same distance from the railway station at less than £4O an acre. To carry sheep he would not give £5 an acre for it, but ho would give very much more for another purpose. If he had cut up the Awapuni land a year ago for building sites he considered it would have brought at least half as much as Victoria, and that would be £IOO an acre. The limit of the demand for residences on sand land had not been reached. A. F. Matthews, surveyor, thought that from tho rubbish reserve to the corner of the Awapuui road the average value of the land would be £2O an ( ucro. Land at Wbataupoko, further away, had beoo sold recently in one block of three acres at £9O an aero. If the Awapuni land was out up it should bring £25 a section. It did not mattor bow it rained tho water ran away. The land was always dry, owing to tho water being so far down. J. Peckover and T. G. Lawless, laud agents, also gave evidence. His Honor said he would not attempt to give judgment without visiting the land. It was arranged that the land should bo inspected to-day. One or two of tbo native owners expressed a desire to give ovidence as to their idea of the value of tho land, j His Honor said the Court could not deny them an opportunity to do so, and this would bo afforded after the land had been visited.