URBAN FARM LANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 240, 10 October 1934, Page 8

URBAN FARM LANDS.

VALUATION ANOMALY,

The bringing of certain suburban lands under the Urban Farm Lands Act has created an anomalous position at Mount Roskill. This was made clear to the Road Board last night, when Mr. J. Barclay, a member of the board, said his property had once been valued at £700. When brought under the Urban Farm Lands Act the valuation was reduced to £500, and the annual rates amounted to £8 7/5. He then sold onethird of the land. The rates on the remaining portion still in his possession was £7 10/3, and the rates on the section he sold amounted to £3 18/4, making a total of £11 14/7, or an increase of £3 7/2, notwithstanding a reduction of £200 in the total valuation. Reporting on this matter, the finance committee explained that the circumstances showed that a certain area of land had been transferred from a property enjoying an urban farm land valuation to another owner. Under the present law the farm land valuation remained operative for the original land and was not transferable to the new owner, consequently the total rating valuation was now higher than the urban farm land valuation. The committee advised that inquiry be made as to the anomalous position arising. The clerk, Mr. J. H. Reich, explained that the purchaser of the section might not be eligible for consideration under the Urban Farm Lands Act. There appeared to be no machinery to deal with such a case. Mr. A. T. O'Donnell, chairman of the finance committee, said this was evidence of hasty legislation. It was decided to submit the matter to the Suburban Local Bodies' Association with a request that it obtain an interpretation of the Act from Wellington.