SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 43, 19 February 1909, Page 5

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) r. EXCESSIVE PROPERTY vaiasaU'■-•'."' . TIONS; . '■■' .■ INVERCARGrLL,. this day. -: With regard ■to-"-high valuations- made by the Valuation Department, a committee of the Town Couheilj alter'conferenees with-the valuer,, has-decided, "that the assessments are high, and that,' after individual cases of what are considered undue increases have been, dealt: -withj the inspecting valuer should be requested to make a percentage reduction, all round on unimproved rvalues. A meeting of northern! ratepayers protested strongly, against the increases made in unimproved values in the :"distrietj a«d:'appointed--.a deputation to confer the.inspecting valuer. The meeting.--also resolved,.to call upon ratepayers: ,to individually lodge objections to valuations.,:, /•> ■';.•.-■.-';? A BODY FROM THE PBNGUEf:- '. thisi-'da-yy: : The body of George Cooper, ffteman, has -been recovered from the Penguin wreck! , . * ) retirement of captain edwin; WELLINGTON,. this day. : ; Capt. Edwin, Government meteorqio- ■ gist,-who is amongst the. civil-servants to be retired on 'account of the age limit, has been 33 years in the Government service.. ■ ■■' ■ -'-.: ...".■'- '. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. .. Wellington;'""this. day.. The President of the Arbitration'-.Court ma. written judgment has i;uled that a man employed solely as messrooin'-waiter is not a waiter within. ..the meaning .ojE .the cooks', and waiters'awards. :. : i DUNEDIN. this day. The total amount contributed locally towards the Italian: Earthquake Relief Fnhd is' £333 14/. The fund is now closed. ' ' ■•''''.V.. ; : '•---" r, ... ,-. At a meeting of the Education Board Mr. X Haweridge, ah ; artist who-has been by J. Wilkie and Co. for many years, was appointed director of the School of Art. •