Thompson v Randwick Corporation [1950] HCA 33

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{HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA.]

THOMPSON AND OTHERS : 2 5 APPELLANTS ;

PLarntirrs AND

THE COUNCIL OF THE MUNICIPALITY ne % OF RANDWICK Sf ESPONDENT. Derenpant,

ON APPEAL FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

Resumption and acquisition of land—Resumption under statutory power—Municipal H. C. ov A.

council—Town-planning—Closing of "unnecessary" road—Opening of new 1950.

road—* Improvement and embellishment of area" —Acquisition of more land ~~

than necessary—Proposed resale of excess land at profit to reduce cost of scheme— SYDNEY, Aug. 4,

Improper purpose—Damage to owners—Injunction—Local Government Act 1919-1948 (N.8.W.) (No. 41 of 1919—No. 44 of 1948), ss. 235, 321 (d), 322, Sept. 9 532, 535, 536—Public Roads Act 1902-1937 (No. 95 of 1902—No. 35 of 1937), Williams,

Webb and s. 20 (2) (a). Kitto JJ.

Section 321 (d) of the Local Government Act 1919-1948 (N.S.W.) provides that "subject to the provisions of this Act, the council may control and

regulate and may undertake the improvement and embellishment of the

area."

Held (1) that the word " improvement" in sub-s. (d) of s. 321 is used to denote utilitarian betterments and " embellishment " to denote beautification of the area. The improvement or embellishment must at least be some

physical improvement or embellishment of the area; and

(2) that the word " and" in the expression "' improvement and embellish-