CONFLICTING VALUES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3827, 9 May 1913, Page 5

CONFLICTING VALUES.

INTERESTING CASE BEFORE THE LAND BOARD. APPLICATION DISALLOWED. ■ An interesting case, in which a‘Government valuation of a block of Nativb land appears to have 'been disclosed as absurdly low, cropped up before the Tairawhiti -Land Board at Gisborne yesterday.

The application was for the transfer of Wharaurangi 4B from a Native owner to a European, and on Wednesday the question arose at the sitting of tire Board as to tho value of the land, which is on the banks of the \\aipaoa river. The purchaser had bought the land from the Native owner at the Government valuation of £24 an acre. This was objected to on the grounds that the Native was not getting full value, and evidence was given by valuers to show that the land was affected by the river, and not so valuable as if not so affected. The values given ranged from that of the. Government (£24) to close on £SO. Ihe Board, alter hearing the evidence, adjourned judgment until yesterday morning. The judgment stated that it was quite evident from the evidence that the Government value was too low. 4 lie Board was not in a position to fix the value in the face of such conflicting evidence. The • evidence showed that tlie owner was already getting £3O per acre rent for part of the property, and it would, therefore, bo con-t-i ar.v to the interests of the Native to allow it. to be sold at anything less.