LAND FOR SCHOOL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 782, 1 October 1929, Page 7

LAND FOR SCHOOL

COMPENSATION FOR FARMER From Oar Own Correspondent PUKEKOHE, Monday. The taking of two acres of land at Aka Aka under the Public Works* Act for school purposes was the subject of a sitting of the Compensation Court at Pukekohe today. Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., presided. The assessor for the Auckland Education Board was Mr. W. "Wallace, and for the claimant (Mr. M. Mclntyre) Mr. D. R. Hamilton. Mr. it. P. Towle appeared for the board, and Mr. A. L. Tompkins for the claimant. It was explained that £l5O compensation had been offered to Mclntyre, who claimed £248, £l5O being for the land, £25 as the cost of fencing, and £73 for depreciation to the property as a result of a loss of frontage. Mr. Tompkins said Mclntyre had no -desire to part with the land, and informed the Minister of Education and the department accordingly. The severing of the property meant that one block of 40 acres of land would have a frontage of only four chains. The claimant said that he purchased the property of 138 acres in 1912 for •2 40 an acre, and had subsequently improved it. He allowed the area of two acres to be utilised as a playing area at the school since 1913, and was prepared to continue to allow its use. The Und taken was the best site for a residence on the property. C. K. Lawrie, land agent. Pukekohe. valued the property at £OO an acre, and assessed the depreciation on 80 acres at £2 10s an acre. IT. P. Garland, farmer, Aka Aka, said he valued the property at between £IOO and £llO. The loss of fruitage detrimentally affected 30 acres for subdivision purposes. H. E. R. L. Wily, farmer, Puni and estimated the depreciation on SO acres at £2OO. A. W. A. Sweet man. district valuer, said the Government value was £47 5s an acre, and a revalution in March, 1928, reduced it to £4l 10s. The court held that £6O an acre was the value of the two acres of land. It awarded the claimant £2O compensation, each party to pay its own costs.