Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-12

against the evidence and that the dam
ages were excessive. The case will be in
order for argument before the law court
which meets in Augusta, the fourth
The claim of Alice NJ Sayward VS.
City of Augusta for damages to her prop
erty situated on the east side of State
street. resulting from change Of grade in
said street, was adjusted without suit.
His Honor Mayor Lane and myself adj
justed this case by the payment on the
part of the city of the sum of $40
The claim of the Bowditch heirs VS.. the
city for land taken at tht corner Of
Grove and State streets for widening the
sidewalk. was by agreement Of both par-
ties referred to NJ. V. +. Chase Esq ana
o. c. Webster, with the understanding
that if these two referees should not
agree upon the amount to be paid by the
city to the Bowditch heirs, they should
choose a third referee and the finding Of
any two should be final on both parties
Messrs Chase and Webster viewed the
premises and heard the parties ana the
argument Of counsel. but could not agree
upon the amount to be paid by the city
They then chose as third referee
Treby Johnson, Esq. The three referees.
after viewing the premises. hearing the
testimony Of the witnesses ana the argu-
ment Of the counsel, awarded to the
liowditch heirs the sum of 500 with in
tercst from the time the lana WAS taken.
AS counsel for the city in the matter. |
felt though this allowance was reason
able ana fair to both parties Interested
ter CoOmbS Mill road case, 50 called has
been finished in favor Of the city.
In my last annual report | stated that
after the decision Of the county commits
sioncrs refusing to discontinue the road
which they had already laid out, en-
tered an appeal to the supreme Judicial
court.
The presiding justice Of said court APP
points Il commission AS provided for in
the statutes of this State in said cases,
consisting of the Hon. G. +. johnson Of
ri, a
ner ana j. w. Bdssett Of Winslow,
whose duty it was to g over the route
Of the proposed road, give the parties
hearing, take into consideration al the
papers in the case and render their de-
CiSiOn which would he final
The commissioners went over the route
Of the read in August last. and heard the
parties ANA their witnesses for three days
in September.
The commissioners rendered their de-
ciSiOn at the October term Of our supreme
judicial court. 1889
This decision discontinued that portion
Of the road which the county commits
sioners had Laid out and which was in
Augusta. ara discontinued That portion
Of the road in Manchester which had not
been built. and affirmed The finding Of
the county commissioners as 70 that por-
ton Of the road in Manchester which
Manchester had built.
BY this decision of the commissioners,
the city of Augusta was saved. in the
opinion OF conservative men, first eX-
pense of not less than 5000 which it
would cost TO build the road and an an
nual cost Of quite sum q have kept
the road In repair ii built.
The claim of Lewis Betit vs. City of
Augusta for damages resulting from in
iuries sustained by falling into hole on
Mill street after careful investigation |
am confident that the city has a perfectly
legal defence to this claim.
The claim Of Willard \. Porter vs.. the
CITY for damages amounting 70 $50 result 1
ing in the loss Of his horse which became
frightened by steam roller on Water /
street near the steamboat wharf has
been carefully investigated by me and | /
report no liability on the part of the /
city.
The work Of the law department for |
the last municipal year has often been |
laborious ana has consumed much valu- (
a BILE time.
II has required the drafting Of two le-
gAl opinions. the drawing OF many aiti- /
davits tor the Overseer Of the poor the I
trial Of several important cases in court /
before referees ana commissioners, and |
my only consolation is that | have tried |
to the best of my ability 70 render faith /
ful service to the city.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS LEIGH,
City Solicitor.