HUGE CLAIM FOR AWAROA BLOCK

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5327, 13 February 1947, Page 6

HUGE CLAIM FOR AWAROA BLOCK

(Special to "Post")

£97,000 FROM CROWN FORMER OWNERS OF 1326 ACRES

WHAKATANE, Last Night. One of the Bay of Plenty's biggest legal actions concerning land property is now being heard at Whakatane before the Land Saies Court. The case involves a claim against the Minister of Crown Lands for the- sum of £97,000 as compensation for 1326 acres at Edgecumbe. * The land, known as the Awaroa Block, was taken under the Servicemen's Settlement Act by the Government. The sum advanced was £44 an acre. This is not acceptable to the owners, who are claiming at the rate of £73 an acre.

Mr. Justice Archer is president. Associated with him are Messrs. E. Scott and W. Stewart. Mr. W. J. Sim K.C., is conducting the case for the claimant. He is assisted by Mr. R. Gamble. The Crown is represented by Messrs. F. T. Barnett and R. Kay. The case, which opened this morning, is expected to last for at least two days. An inspection of the property will be made. The litigant, Ernest John Holdsworth, of Waikohu, and his wife, Margaret Adair Holdsworth, and brother, Charles Glanville Holdsworth, were described by counsel as "joint owners cf a first-class property which when on the verge of coming into its own, was acquired by the Government for settlement purposes at a price which fell far short'of the compensatory value, for the work and developmeht which had taken place." Counsel emphasised the value of 5000 gum trees which the Crown refused to allow, and stated that he intended putting undisputable facts of i e produetivity of the station before the Court. Five Years' Figures N-.-viiie Ernest Frehner, accountant, ■jC Wairoa, who managed the affairs of Awaroa from 1937 to 1941, gave ■.i£l.aiied statements of the returns from dairy and sheep farming operations. He described the method of stocking and rotating of six sharemilking establishments, which cornprised the station. Latterly, a seventh unit had been launehed, and he stated that for the 950 cows milked. an average over the years mentioned woukl be 2331b. of butterfat. Upon the termination oi the share'milkers' agreement, due to the action of the Government, the owners .were compelled to pay out £400 15s. as compensation. Some 224 acres and the large residence was retained as an individual farm for the owners. Mr. Barnett, who cross-examined, asked leave of the Court to recall witness whom, he confessed, had released a ncw set of figures. Frederick R. Ball, registered valuer and public accountant, cf Gisborne, said that he had made an inspection of the property, setting out the land, buildings and implements. Square, Compact Block The 1326 . cres aken by the Government, represented a square, compact i block containing about 50 acres of plantation. He estimated that this area was capable of carrying some 1000 dairy cows, 200 heifers, 200' weaner heifers, together with horses, pigs, and subsidiary stock. It could be expected with ordinary manageent, to answer all the calls of average dairying, and to produce 2351b. of butterfat per cow. The sitting was adjourned late"this afternoon, and will resunie at 7.30 to-night, and continue during to-mor-row. Throughout the Bay of Plenty, and especially in the Whakatane area, there is great interest in the case.