HAURAKI PLAINS VALUATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 95, 22 April 1922, Page 15

HAURAKI PLAINS VALUATIONS.

PLEAS FOR REASSESSMENT.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

NGATEA. Friday

Glaring injustices are alleged to have been committed by the Valuation Department in assessing the values of holdings in what is known as the Maukoro Estate. Thi s estate is in the Hauraki plains county, and near the Patetonga township. It was sub-divided into small farms and sold to returned soldiers about two years ago, the prices realised ranging from £2 per acre for poor hill country up to £45 per acre for rich drained flat. The settlers have for some time been endeavouring to obtain a revaluation, and individual and combined efforts supported by the Hauraki Plains County Council, have been made. The position of the Maukoro settlers is ably i set forth in a letter sent to the ValueiGeneral by the Patetonga Ratepayers' Association. It is stated therein "that adjustments of the valuations for rating purposes lias been carried out by Valuation Department without their taking into consideration the selling price or quality of the land, with the result that some of the settlers are asked to pay more than double their fair share of county rates, whilst others escape paying what they should. A deputation from the Maukoro Estate waited on the Hauraki Plains County Council, and, acting on the advice of the council, a petition was sent to the Minister in Charge, Valuation Department, praying that the existing valuation be set aside and a fresh one made at the expense of the Department. Tbe Minister's reply was to the effect that those dissatisfied could have & fresh valuation under section 36 of the Valuation of Lands Act, 1908, on payment e of the valuation fee. The officer in charge of the Valuation Department was then appeal*- to, but he demanded a fee of £2 2/ from each settler for a new valuation, at the same time holding out the throat that whereas the present assessment »» that of 1917. the new valuation, if insisted Upon, would be present day values. The majority of the settlers declined to proceed further in that direction. One settler, realising that things could not possibly be "made worse for him, filled in the prescribed form and sent it with the fee to the Valuation Department, Auckland, demanding a revaluation. The cheque was returned, and he was' informed that as the rest of the settlers were not applying for a new valuation his fee would be six guineas instead of two. A cony of the letter was read at the last meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council, which viewed the matter sympathetically and supported the appeal. ___________ •