VALUATIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 140, 24 June 1901, Page 3

VALUATIONS.

(To tho Editor.) Sir, —Following up my lottcr to you on Saturday, I am now prepared to mako furthor definite quotations. Mr Witty, I notice, seeks to minimise tho estimate given in tho Times of tho capital value of Tho borough. Tho Times is an ablyconductcd journal, well able to look after itself; but, as tho letter may also be deemed to bo an indirect reply to myself, I will hero give an instance for the benefit of Mr Witty, and, if ho is “ willing,” later on I will givo him a few more that if they do not opon his eyes, will open tho eyes of tho poople generally, and mako some people in an ollicial position more careful as to how thoy attack Mr Lysnar’s figures. Here is the instance: — I owned a property at the corner of Bright street and Childors road. A few woek's ago, I received notice of valuation, which was sot out as follows

Capital value d)B2 Owner’s interest on unimproved valuo ... ••• ••• 80 Owner’s interest in improvements The area is 1 rood 11 perches. Now, Mr Witty, there aro two housos upon that soction, good, habitable residences. When I ownod them I received 22s 6d rent per week. I sold the lot for over £6OO threo months ago, having paid £4OO odd for them last year. As Mr Stafford so aptly puts it in regard to his section, “ the Government valuer is quite able to look after his work without help from us,” and it was not my place to squeak if tho Valuer was satisfied, though it might have been awkward for a person trying to raise a mortgage. The unfairness of this kind of thing is that other sections not far distant aro a3sessod at a heavy value. Tho owner of tho section on the opposite corner, same area and two houses, of about tho same value, is assessed at £6OO. Will Mr Witty please explain whother tho ono section should go up in valuo, or tho other come down ? in all earnestness I would advise that when gontlemen in Mr Witty’s official position publicly quote figures calculated to put a damper on a movement for a Greater Gisborne, with its scheme for tho health and -well-being of tho place—which in time means its wealth also —they should give the figures in a way that is not misleading. I had not intended entering upon these delicate questions, but I think it is time an enquiry were made into tho wholo system of rating both for borough, road districts, and counties. I say that there aro many instances of grave inequalities, and I challenge Mr Witty or anyone else to disprove my statements. Nay, I go further, and will if need be, give a great many more instances than I have quoted. . , Herewith, Mr Editor, is tho notice of valuation to which I have particularly referred. You are at liberty to show it to enquirers.—l am, etc., Frank Harris.