APPEAL COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1024, 17 October 1903, Page 3

APPEAL COURT.

Per Press Association^ , WELLINGTON, last night, .The Court of Appeal was engaged to j day hearing the case of the King v, Riddiford, in which the Crown claims certain land at the Butt from defendant. It is part of a selection acquired by one Partridge In 1860 from the New Zealand Company, ,There is no evidence of a Crown grant to anyone, but in .the Lower (Court Judge Edwards gave judgment lor defendant, holding that on the facts of the case, a Crown grant to Partridge, and due acquisition of title by his successor, ought to be presumed, The Crown now appeals and raises the question whether' a .Crown grant can be presumed in this country in an action in' which the Drown is the moving party.

The appeal of James Austin, late carriage builder of Petone workshops, against his dismissal from the service because he refused to go to Napier on account of his wife’s -health has been dismissed., Later.—ln the case of the King y. Riddiford, the argument of Mr Bell, f.or appellant, occupied the whole day, counsel addressing the jCourt at length on the facts of the case, and on Imperial and Colonial legislation in regard to the title of the New Zealand Company and clait mants under it, and also in regard to the various statutes dealing with the acquisition of title by, possession adversely to the Crown* The case is of some general importance, as similar 'actions in regard to Jands in the same position have been commenced by, tho Crown in other Argument for the appellant will be continued on Monday.