OTAGO LAND CASE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9116, 8 April 1908, Page 5

OTAGO LAND CASE.

Per Press Association. Wellington, April 8. In the Court of Appeal Mr Hosting continued his argument for plaintiffs, contending that the relationship created by section 80 of the Act was a-contractual one, there being an offer by plaintiff and acceptance by the Board subject to the Minister’s approval. The conditions were fulfilled and the contract completed and irrevocable. The Court should, by granting the remedies prayed for, enforce its performance by the Board. Mr Hoskiug further contended that plaintiffs had been deprived of their employment by the acquisition of the estates, but even if that was not so the Board having once found in their favour such finding was conclusive and could not be reviewed by the Supreme Court. Sections 48, 49, 53, 63 and 99 constituted the Board a tribunal of exclusive jurisdiction for determining questions of fact, but assuming the Court had jurisdiction to review the evidence the finding of the Board could not be disturbed. Employment on the very land acquired was not essential so long as plaintiffs were employed by the owners of the land.