MOUNT EDEN VALUATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 35, 11 February 1937, Page 6

MOUNT EDEN VALUATIONS.

In reply to the statement of the Mnvrof Mount Eden. Mr. T. McVnb, J 1 to iniV.i >•■ him tliat the writer of the letter signed "Hard Hit" is quite correct. Tlie rates for the year eitding March .tl, 1937. were increa-cd one penny on annual valuation, also 7/ii rll)>}>i-]i eolleetion fee was added. When the council meetn in March it strikes the rate for next j year. April 1. 1!»:{7. to March :iI. j,, the majority of cases the valuation of private homes ha* fimie up consjdcra lilv tbi, year. Neaily eieryone 1 know who own* or is tr\'in ir to own hi* home has received notice of higher valuation. The valuer tohl me that rents have increased lately and his valuation is based on the present rental value. When rents were reduced owing to reductions in tin- vva<.'e level, did the Mount Eden Council redui-e our valuations to «suit the times? Ob. n(> . thev were kept at the old level. Xovv up thev »o to .suit present increased rental value. ' J« it ain wonder the owning of property in this borough is only a nightmare to most of us ? We a're penalised hv extra rates if we paint or do necessary repairs. It is f ilr better f,„. pockets if we sit hack and let the gra*« fl |„I weeds take charge instead of ..pending our "pure time in making our property a credit to the district. A numher of ratepayers has decided to do thin; jt is our only chance of getting a reduction in valuation. Visitors to thin district will soon understand why the houses are not kept clean and tidv.' The experience of most of my friends, and'myself] is that it is useless trying to put up a sound argument with the valuer. If,, has his ov. n ideas, and apparently we don't know anvthiii" al.out property. When the Assessmcnt'Court meets we are hoping for an opportunity to place our canes mul get a fair hearing. even though most of ns cannot afford to pay a solicitor to act on our behalf, hut will have to plead for ourselves. ANOTHER HARD HIT RATEPAYER.