ASSESSMENT COURT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 64, 27 February 1877, Page 3

ASSESSMENT COURT.

A sitting of the above Court was held yesterday, at the ltesident Magistrate's Court, Justin Aylmer, Esq., Judge, presiding. borough of akaroa. The Judge read a letter from Mr. C. L. Wiggins, objecting to be assessed for his property in Akaroa, on the ground that, the occupier, and not the owner, Avas liable. The Mayor, in the absence of the ToAvn Clerk, stated that he appeared on behalf of the Council to oppose the objections. He urged that Mr. Wiggins had only let the house for a period of six months, and that it Avas noAv unoccupied, and consequently the Council had to look to the owner for the payment of the rate. The Judge coincided Aviththe Mayor, and held that the occupier in the first instance Avas responsible, but failing to secure payment, the Council could fall back upon the OAvner. Mr. T. S. Annand objected by letter to tAvo separate valuations being made on his premises, on the ground that the office let to Messrs Bridge and Bushell avos attached to the main building, leased by him at a yearly rental of. £45. The property Avas assessed —£35 for dwelling and shHp, and £1,3 for office. The Mayor stated that Mr. Annand had let the office for £12 per year, and that Avas the reason the separate rate Avas imposed. The Judge held that as part of the building was let to a tenant, Mr. Annand was liable for the second rate. Mr. Jacob Kissel, Avho had objected through letter, to the assessment £40, on his property, as being excessive, failed to appear. The Mayor remarked that Mr. Kissel let one room to the Council for £20 per annum, and got off Avith £20 for his shop and dAvelling, Avhich he contended was moderate. The Judge dismissed the objection, remarking that if Mr. Kissel did not choose to attend to sustain the ap])eal the Court could not bother with it. COUNTY OF AKAROA. The Judge read a letter from Mr. Latter, Chairman of the Akaroa County Council, requesting that the Assessment Court for ftie County be adjourned till the 26th March, as the Council had not yet decided to adopt the Act. The adjournment was granted. w AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD DISTRICT. Mr. EdAvin Chappell lodged a written objection to the high rate lev; d upon his property. The grounds of objection were that there Avas no road leading to his property, and that the land nad not yet been surveyed. Mr. Adams, the clerk, held that the assessment Avas moderate, and read clause 37 of the Eating Act in support of the legality of the rate. It provides that rates shall be levied on all lands, not being Her Majesty's, held under lease, or license, or being under contract for sale, or leasing from the CroAvn. The Judge dismissed the objection, remarking that Mr. Chappell had failed to come forward to sustain his appeal. As to the question of the land not being surveyed, the Act clearly provides for the of an occupation license, which conceded all the necessary privileges to the occupant. Mr. George Armstrong's objection to the assessment of 2,228 acres, on the ground "chat he had not been placed in exclusive occupation, owing to non-survey, was also dismissed, the decision of the former having decided its fate. . Mr. Armstrong remarked that the Board would have to,, sue for the rate, and if judgment went against him, he would appeal to a Judge of the Supreme Court. The Court then-adjourned.