Meeting held on
561
the 31 December 18.
TAIPINGSHAN RESUMPTION ARBİ-
TRATION BOARD.
The Taipingshan Arbitration Board mot again yesterday and gave its award in the five claí us that were under consideration last week. The Chairman stated the awards as follows A. My (Loang Chi Woon) elaimed $1,75 the Government offered $1,589, and the Board awarded $5,000,
S. A. Bird claimed $6,600, the Government offered $2 691, the Board awarded $4,700.
China Fire Lasaranée Co. (Yn Chin Ham) elaimed $7.150, the Government offorod 85,355, and the Board awarded $5.800.
Clement Palmer claimed $23,000, the Govern. ment offered $8,662, the Board awar.fed $14,000, Chan Kwai claimed $7,392, the Government offeral $3.339, the Board awarded $1,300.
His Lordship-In order to facilitate the pro- gross of this inquiry and to bring the claimante and the Government aloser together in the hope that by so doing the Board will not have to in quira into every case, we beg to state that, broadly speaking, the Board is of opinion that in order to arrive at a fair compensation the rental should be taken. The heavy fall of rautals from 1892-1894 must prepare claimants for some loss, and we should in every future case hava oloar evidenos of the rental returns made to the assessor for the last three years. Frovi the rentals should be deducted-Crown rent; insurance 1 per cent. net; taxos; annual repairs 5 per cent, on value of house exclusive of founda. tions The Board will not overlook insanitary conditions or abnormal rents, but, on the other hand, the fact of forcible resumption will not be lost sight of. These are general ralas, leaving to the Board fall discretion to deal with each base on its own merits.
Mr. V. H. Dacon-I appear for Mr. May, and I make application for costs.
His Lordship-With these first five cases we are not inclined to refuse costs, but having given these general rules we reserve the right to refuse costs where we think the claim is exorbitant.
Mr. Daudon-How many years' purchase are we to value at ? Do you leave that for each case ? His Lordship-It may be for 12 or 14 years: Mr. Shelton Hooper, Secretary, Land Invest- ment Co.-I am mortgagee in Mr. May's case, and I would ask the Board to make out the ap- portionment.
His Lordship-No doubt that will be made in the forms of the Board. Give a note of your olaim to Mr. Seth and it will be attended to.
The Board adjourned till Thursday next, st 12 o'clock.