Revaluation of Christchurch

Press, 6 November 1984, Page 16

Revaluation of Christchurch

Sir,—l refer to Mr Ken Smith, a district valuer’s statement in "The Press,” “It’s the little old lady who has been on half an acre in Leinster Road for 40 years, who is in the~most unfortunate position” (regarding rates increases). Why? If a “little old lady” living in the Merivale area has her valuation trebled where she has 1378 square metres, how is it that the Valuation Department, assessing the increased value of a fairly new private hospital in the area, with 6241 square metres of land, has increased it? value by less than double the 1979 valuation? I agree that a Youth Centre would be helpful for 1 Christchurch’s unemployed youth, but why should the ratepayers pay for a building to house it? Siirely the Government should provide the building. The Christchurch City Council seems to have some compulsive spenders. Economy seems to be an unknown word to them. Is it not high time the rating system was amended so that the capital value is the basis for rates and not mainly the unimproved value? — Yours, etc., S. L. DONALDSON. October 31, 1984.