WEST HARBOR AFFAIRS.

Evening Star, Issue 19772, 24 January 1928, Page 11

WEST HARBOR AFFAIRS.

Ti TUS EDITOtt borough of West Harbor was stirred out of its long sleep last week, when the ratepayers were all served with new valuations on their properties. Whilst admitting that 11c nave been rated rather on the low side during the past few years, and consequently the treasury has not had sufficient to carry on with, I am at a loss to understand (and others with me) how the valuations were arrived at. In conversation with others, I find that some have had their properties valued at 100, lot), 200, and even 300 per cent, more than at the previous valuation, whilst there are others who have not been raised at all. Why this should he needs some explanation. To give a case in point. My property lias been rated at 100 per cent, more than previously (to which I make no objection) ; my next door neighbor, whose land is exactly the same size ns mine, lias been raised 150 pep cent, A short distance away the revaluation nn a property lias been raised 200 per cent., whilst between this property and .mine there is a property that has not been raised at all. If the value of the borough has risen 100 per cent, there is no logical argument why nil properties should not be revalued at the same percentage. Another little matter that is troubling a section of the residents is in re-, forcnco to the railway fares to Maia. A second class season ticket (six months) to Ravensbourne is 20s lid, the distance set down in the railway guide being two miles. To Main, distance three miles, the fare is not in proportion, but is Is Od over the fair proportion. But, apart from the extra charge, the residents of Main ‘are limited to one train each way every cliiy, with the exception of Friday, when a late train is provided on the late shopping ni"ht. There is no reason why all trams should not stop at Maia, especially as nearly every train spends about five minutes at Raven.sboiirne. A couple of these minutes could easily be spared for the new .station, and would save the women folk of Maia, a few hours every week. The blame does not rest wholly with the Railway Department, for If the residents of Maia were to exert themselves and make application to the authorities 1 am sure that nothing but good would resnlt.—l am, etc., Main Road. Jan liarv 23.