PROPERTY TAX INJUSTICE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 151, 29 December 1881, Page 3

PROPERTY TAX INJUSTICE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Sis— lt is with regret that lam compelled to draw public attention to the above case, as reported in your paper of the 6th instant. There is a great deal more depending on this case than many would suppose. If I am correctly informed, this case waa brought before the Conrfc of Appeal as a test ca3e, by , which many eases of a similar nature would ' be deoided. 'It is with aome surprise I now learn that Mr. Bell, I presume acting under instructions from the Government, distinctly refused \o abide by Crombie v. Pearoe as a rule for the guidance of the Commissioner in other oases.- 1 his is what I and many others complain of . The Government finding the decision against them refuse to abide by it, and what ia the consequence, many hay« paid money j others are about to be com•polled to do so, under the strained interpret ' tation put upon the Property Assessment Act by the Commissioner armed by the Legislature with very great power. The Court of Appeal deoided thiß money could not be collected under ths! present law. therefore, the money that has been paid should.be returned. Eut Mr. Bell now says the decision in the case quoted does not apply to the other oases ; therefore, those who do not wish to pay money wrongfully mu-t either take their case before the Court of Appeal or the lower Courts, or else submit to the wrong and injnstioe quietly. Now, Sir, I sabmib taxpayers should not be placed in this position by the action of the Law Officers of the Government. It is sometimes difficult enough to make •nds meet when one has paid all the rates and taxes that are legally collectable. All should fee), if taxes are necessary and proper, they should only be collected according to the law. This letter is longer than I intended, but it is only right that I should B»y, before concluding, that Mr. Croinbie v admi,tted the ruling of the Court of Appeal as a test case and his intention of abiding thereby. Hence I cannot understand the position now taken by Mr. Bell, unless he means to defend at all costs an untenable position, with the view of causing much profit to the firm of Mossrs. Izard and Bell, and All the others lawyers in New Zealand.^ I am, <to., Chablks T. Eichakdson.