SUPREME COURT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8353, 13 February 1913, Page 2

SUPREME COURT

CIVIL SESSIONS. SAWMILLING RIGHTS. The civil sessions of tho Supremo Coilrt were resumed before his Honor Mr Justice Chapman yesterday. Legal argument was taken in four actions respecting certain milling rights over native land at Raetihi. The first of these was Te Peehi 'Te Opetini v. the Pakihi Sawmilling Co., Ltd., of Raetihi, and the statement of . claim set out that the plaintiff was part owner in a block of land known as Raetihi 2b3, containing 728 acres. There were nine native owners and his interest was 293 acres. An agreement was entered into whereby the defendant company was to have certain milling rights, and under this agreement he claimed £767 4s 7d rent duo and damages to September 30th, 1912, and a further £2O as rent up to October 11th, 1912. Ho also asked for possession of tho land. Tho defendant ‘ company counter-claimed for £4OO as damages for wrongful distress on certain plant. A further claim was made against Harry Merson and Charles E. I'ederseu for £I2OO for breaking a pouna wherein certain goods were distrained by tho plaintiff for rent due, or in the alternative £4lO damages for trespass. Ripeka Te Peehi and Rawiri Porangi claimed from tho Pakihi Sawmiliing Co., Ltd., £143 17s 8d rent due, or in the alternative £423 10s, money Covenanted by the company to be paid. Ripeka Te jjoehi in a further action against the company claimed £26 19s as rent for certain land from September 30th, 1912, to October 20th, 1912, and damages at the rate of £ll6O per annum from tho latter date till the plaintiff obtained possession of tho land. Mr G. Hutchinson appeared for tho plaintiffs, and Mr 0. Hutton for tho defendants. The question involved was whether any rent or other payments wore duo to the plaintiffs by tho defendant company and whether plaintiff (Opetini) was justified in distraining on tho defendant company’s plant. His Honor reserved judgment.