Bavarian ownership saga drags on

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 423, 11 February 1992, Page 3

Bavarian ownership saga drags on

The New Zealand Police Ski Club who have held the title of ownership for the Bavarian Lodge in Raetihi since 24 January still had not gained possession of the building by noon last Friday. After earlier attempts to evict the previous owners, Lionel and Pat West, the ski members sought a High Court injunction to have the Wests evicted. This was obtained, with

possession of the building in the interim passing to a sheriff of the high court until the court has made a final decision on ownership. Secretary of the club, Malcolm Johnson of Tokoroa, said they became aware that various fixtures and fittings were being or had been removed from the property. To protect their interest they had the building under 24hour surveillance since Saturday 1 February until 6pm on Wednesday

5 February by which time the Wests had vacated the building under the sheriff s supervision. Team members were hoping to occupy the building Wednesday evening, but were unable to do so. However on Thursday they were allowed into the building under supervision to assist with the installation of security systems and remove rubbish. Team representative Peter Handlow said the

building was sold to them at a mortgagee sale by the West's financier. He said the ski team tender was the successful one of four tenders received, at a price of $33,000. Of the three other tenders, one was from a group of Raetihi residents. The ski team said they have incurred legal fees in excess of $8,000 and that they have spent many hours of their own time during the surveillance period with

members coming from Auckland, Hamilton, Tokoroa, Rotorua and Taihape. Ski team members said, upon inspecting the interior of the building, they were amazed to find that a number of fixtures had been taken including toilet pans, waste pipes, a urinal flushing unit, stove, electrical fittings including fixed heater, light fittings, solid fuel heater and filtration plant. When full possession is gained the ski club

plans to use the lodge as a year-round recreational facility for club members. One hundred pages of evidence and submissions had been faxed to the High Court in Wellington to support

their case, said Mr Handlow. The Wests declined to comment on the issues when approached early last week and the Bulletin was unable to later contact them for comment.