HIGH VALUES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 147, 24 June 1939, Page 10

HIGH VALUES.

ORAKEI SUBURB.

GOVERNMENT HOMES.

THE FIRST ASSESSMENT.

DISTRICT'S RAPID GROWTH.

Iu the first valuation survey of the

Government housing estate at Orakei, the Valuation Department has assessed the value of the houses at an average of slightly more tlian £1000 each and the sites at figures ranging up to an average of nearly £.V>o on the higher levels. The sites on the original, largest block, on which 212 horses were built, have been valued at about £220, and those on the smallest block, with onlv 22 houses at £2XO.

The range of from £1200 to £13.50 in the values of the houses and sections combined, includes an allowance to cover improvements such as paths, fences, walls and the levelling of the sites. Hedges have not been a factor as the planting of shelter had not been commenced when the survey was carried out.

I hese values, though considered high, arc. however, far below those of the best residential areas of the Orakei suburb, which range up to considerably more than £1000 for quarter-acre sections. The Department's assessments, recently compiled, for the sites on Paritai Drive, where double-storey homes have been built, average over £1000. and the valuations of the majority of the honips overlooking the harbour are on a correspondingly high level.

Orakei's Growth. Tt is estimated that the total capital valuation of the Orakei district is now well over £1.000.000. As the area is less than naif developed, and large numbers of sections are still vacant on the upper •slopes, the valuation authorities expect the figure ultimately to exceed two millions. t nder the original layout, which has been generally followed. Orakei was planned on garden suburb lines. Several hundred sections are still held for disposal by the Crown, and the low-lying area near the beach, at Okahu Bay, is still in its original state.

In the rapidity of its growth, Orakei has overshadowed most other parts of suburban Auckland, and has a population to-day probably exceedins 2000. A similar, "though less marked, advance has also been made at. Mission Bay. and in parts of St. Helier's and Kohimarainara. Small Number of Objections. Few objections have been raised byproperty owners in the eastern suburbs to the new valuations, an attitude which is interpreted by the Department as indicating general approval of the increases made. The a-se»snicnts and the objections for all the di-t rifts revised during 19.3tf•i0 are as follow: —- No of assessments Objections Taninki (including Orakei. St. Heller's Mission liny & Kohi BI6S B0 Point Chevalier .... 107.". - Jg Arch Hill (ill Kden Terrace ."OS (> Avomlale 22!»1 34

Total 8611 127 As the total objections is considerably below 2 per cent, the task for the Assessment Court which will be set up in the near future is small. The viewtaken by valuers is that property owners are less interested in changes in Government valuations in Auckland City than in the suburbs where such values are used for rating purposes. More important to city ratepayers is the trend of the City Council's annual rateable valu'-s.