CROWN VALUATIONS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 269, 12 November 1943, Page 4

CROWN VALUATIONS

IN LAND SALES CASES AN OBJECTION TO COSTS After decision had been given by the North Auckland Land Sales Committee yesterday afternoon approving the sale of a property at Henderson, Mr. D. Stevenson, the Crown representative, raised the question of valuation costs. The chairman, Mr. S. I. Goodall, said they would consider the question raised. The ordinary rule would follow the wording of the section, and costs would be awarded only under certain circumstances. Mr. H. R. Kirker, counsel in the case, said it seemed iniquitous that vendors and purchasers seeking consent to transactions should be mulcted in the cost of the valuation that the Crown required for the guidance of the committee. In the specific case the property was sold at a figure upheld by the committee. If applicants were going to be forced into the position of litigation with the Crown whether a deal was to go through, and the parties were to have saddled on them the cost of a valuation and report obtained by the Crown, in addition to valuers' reports the position would be most unfair and unjust. The chairman eaid that decision on the point raised would be reserved.