COMPENSATION COURT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9098, 19 March 1908, Page 4

COMPENSATION COURT.

Press Association. Christchurch, March 17. - In the Compensation Court to-day, re the Culverden Estate, the case for the trustees was closed, and Dr. Findlay opened the case for the Government, calling D. G. Clarke, Government accountant, who gave evidence as to the Government’s basis of valuation. Giving evidence for the Trustees, one witness said the estate was worth over £144,544, or £6 10s per acre, and he could make 9 per cent on that by cultivating all ploughahle land and using crossbreds instead of merinos. His Honor remarked regarding the 9 per cent., “Yet farmers grumble.. You are basing your figures on a continuance of existing conditions?” Witness replied that Jthe last two years were the worst he had seen in Oanterburv. hut he would be sorry to work for less than 9 per cent. In opening the case for the Grown, Dr. Findlay stated that the average value estimated by bis witnesses would be fully £25,000 less than the lowest value given by any of claimants’ witnesses, and just £45,000 below the amount requested by the claimants. The Crown values would, be based ou the actual capacity as distinguished from the potential capacity given of the estate and its actual earnings, _ instead of the speculative possibilities of the income.