ROADING NATIVE LANDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 467, 22 May 1912, Page 5

ROADING NATIVE LANDS.

COMPENSATION CLAIMED

At the last meeting of the Waitomo County Council, Mr K. Gould waited on the council in support of an objection to the taking of a road through hiß property on the Pukearuhe road. The position as explained was that Mr McAdam had a native lease which had a frontage to another road. He had sold po:tion of the property thereby cutting off the remainder from a road frontage. He was now applying to have a road taken through Mr Gould's property to get access. The council had applied to the Survey Department to issue a Governor's warrant to take the road with the usual custom.

Mr Gould explained that he had obtained the freehold of the property and the taking of the road would cut it up badly and cause considerable loss. The co3t of fencing alone along the proposed road would be about £IOO, besides which the road would cut up his paddocks. He wished to know what compensation he would receive^

The chairman (Mr A. Scholes) explained that the matter of compensation was between Mr Gould and Mr McAdam. The applicant had according to the usual custom indemnified the council against any expense in the matter, and the cuuncil wa3 only fulfilling its function in putting through the application. He thought the best course for Mr Gould to adopt would be to consult his solicitor on the subject. The council could not penalise the country ratepayers by giving compensation for a road to serve any individual.

Several councillors expressed sympathy with Mr Gould, and held that he should receive compensation for damage done.