SUPREME COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1903, 13 June 1889, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

Wbimkqtok, Juno 12. An important aojion was begun in the Supreme Court ibis morning—Manawatu Bail way Company v. Queen. The company claim that part of their contract with the Government was that any block or portion of a block of land in the vicinity of the line, acquired by the Crown within a period of five years from March 1882, should be set aside as an endowment to the Oompanv, provided the value did not exceed £29,805. But the Government sold by auction a portion of the Horowbenua block, comprising 30,088 acre*. The company seek to be put in a position to prosecute its complaint in the court, and take snob proceedings as are necessary. The contention of the Crown is that the Horowbenua block was not acquired till June 19. h, 1887, and consequently not within the five year limit. Duhbdik, June 12, Judge Williams gave judgement in the case Auditor-General r. Maniototo County Council. He sees no reason why a. county council should not vote a reasonable sum for travelling expenses, and are empowered to pay them. If the council consider a fixed sum per mile sufficient he sees nothing in the Aot to prevent it. He thinks the Aot. of 1873 intentionally framed to enable county councils to do what the Maniototo has done, and so avoid unseemly discussions which inevitably take place if the reasonableness ot every item of individual members’ expenses had to be discussed. In the Gallie will case application is being made to tender fresh evidence.