COMPENSATION CLAIMS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5115, 15 April 1927, Page 2

COMPENSATION CLAIMS.

FLOOD DAMAGE AT PAEROA.

REPRESENTATIONS TO MINISTER.

A deputation comprising Messrs E. W. Porritt, W. N. Chamberlain, C. H. Vincent, W. M. Sorensen, and J. Barrett waited upon the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. K. S. Williams) at Paeroa on Monday night in connection with a claim for compensation for damage done to property as a result of the. Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivets Improvement Scheme. Mr Porritt explained that the matter had been under consideration for a number of years, and the patties had made every endeavour to obtain a settlement. They had been advised that the law was clear on the, matter, but that there were difficulties in tne way of effecting settlement, so the settlers had been obliged to proceed by way of claim for compensation. There had been delay in getting the Compensation Court set up owing to the judges having so many other matters on hand, but eventually the case came on for hearing in May, 1925. The property of Mr Chamberlain had been taken as a test case, and on the facts he was awarded £5OO for damage. with no deduction for betterment, the legal question being re- ■ served. Later the legal question was settled by the Full Court in Chamberlain v. Minister of Public Works, and on the case coming again before, the Compensation Court the decision was in favour of the Crown. It had been arranged that one case, should settle the law on tnem all. Following the test case the parties petitioned Parliament for re.lief for the damage done to them, and the Select Committee reported last session in favour of the patries and recommended their claim to the Government for favourable consideration, but nothing could be done at the time as the Prime Minister had to leave for the Imperial Conference. On his return Mr Coates was interviewed on the matter, and is now obtaining a full report on it. What the parties asked was that the Minister would make an endeavour to assist in obtaining relief and bringing the matter to a conclusion. Mr Porritt explained that several of the- properties had mortgages on them on which interest was still running, and the mortgagees were pressing for payment, but the parties were unable to pay and there. was little hope of getting the money. Mr Porritt stated that the claimants had incuri ed costs amounting to £674 in an endeavour to get a settlement. The Prime Minister had a personal knowledge of the conditions of the properties, and the Hon. A. D. McLe.od had seen three of them on his last visit to Paeroa after a flood. The Hon. K. S. Williams said that the Prime Minister had asked him to look into the matter when in Paeroa and forward a report to him. He assured the deputation that thte whole matter would be viewed sympathetically, and he hoped that a satisfactory conclusion would be arrived at. It was liis intention to inspect the areas in the morning, after which no time would be lost in forwarding a report to the Prime Minister. Yesterday mprning, in company with Mr Samuel, the Minister visited the properties on the Waihi Road and afterwards inspected Mr Chamberlain’s property near Pereniki Bend.