Land within Markham Farm in question

By JASON SOM KAUT
Customary owners of land portions between Chevasing and Erap, now part of the Markham Farms, claim the portions were acquired illegally and they had been inadequately compensated.
They also claim the current owners intend to sell business interests of Markham Farm Ltd allegedly occupying over 10,000ha in Markham Valley for a purported K16 million.
The landowners last Saturday presented a petition to Markham Farms manager Steve Farhall asking for the company’s presence during talks with the Lands Department regarding their concerns within the next two weeks.
They had acquired the services of a law firm to investigate if they have a case to pursue on grounds of illegal acquisition and inadequate compensation.
Disputing seven portions of land within the Markham Farm boundary, the Eretz Family Land Group had warned for “no dealings until the matter is resolved”.
They had previously claimed K207 million as compensation in a previous petition.
But the current owner John Swire & Sons was adamant the land was rightly theirs according to documents from the Lands Registry.
Director Christopher Raper said: “The Lands Registry has confirmed in writing that the legal ownership of the entire property at Markham Farm rests absolutely with Collins & Leahy Group.
“Certain traditional landowners have made claims regarding the ownership of a part of the land comprising the farm ... we have at all times sought to act correctly in this matter and all negotiations have been and are being conducted through legal channels.”
He said talk of a sale were unfounded.
“It is not on the market and we are not in negotiations to sell any part of it,” he said.
John Swire & Sons, who is a major shareholder of the Steamships Group, acquired title to the land from Collins & Leahy when it bought off 100% shares in 1999.
The Eretz Family Group represents the Orogwangin clan – one of two major clans claiming ownership over some portions of the land in dispute.
The disputed portions include portions six, nine, 15, 21, 25, 379 and 380.