OTAKI COMMISSION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 May 1928, Page 8

OTAKI COMMISSION.

EFFORTS AT A SETT/jEM JNT

CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTIES . FOR GENERAL RATING SUBMITTED.

The Commission which opened on May Bth to inquire into the Otaki Bor ough rating and allied questions, and which adjourned on Thursday afternoon with the completion of the evidence, resumed its sitting at the Otaki Courthouse yesterday. The Commission consists of Mr B. M. Watson, S.M. (chairman), Mr W. T. Strand, and Mr W. Nash. The chairman announced that sinee\ the last sitting and with the assistance of Mr Strand, a statement had been obtained showing a classification of all the properties in the borough, ir would be for Mr Luckie (counsel for certain leaseholders objecting to the present rating) to say how far he could meet the Borough’s proposals. Mr Luckie asked if the Borough had definitely made proposals. He added that he only knew of the memorandum proposing classification which was drawn up last week as the result of a conference, but which had not yet been dealt with by the Commission. He did not know how the proposals were going to affect his clients. Mr Atmore (appearing for the Borough Council) said that, although a general classification had been drawn up, it would be necessary to prepare two separate classifications —one for water and the other for drainage. This would involve a great deal of work, but with the expert assistance of the Valuer-General it could be done. He would like an indication from Mr Luckie as to whether the proposed scheme would be accepted as a basis of settlement. The chairman said he did not know that Mr Luckie could give this assurance until he had examined the scheme.

Mr Luekie stated that, assuming that it was a matter of pounds, shillings and ponce, it was impossible for him to give any indication of the attitude of his clients until he had seen how it would affect them. The chairman stated that the documents would bo at the disposal of Mr Luckio for his examination: .if he could not go any further, the Com* mission would terminate. Mr Atmorc said he would like’ to have an opportunity of discussing the proposals with the Valuer-General ami Mr Luekie in committee.

Mr Luekie asked for time to get information as to what would be the effect of the classification on his clients.

The chairman suggested that Mr Luckio examine the returns that had been prepared, adding that the Commission would be at hand to come to a decision in committee at any time. He also stated that the Commission had agreed to hear Mr Martin (counsel for certain freeholders) in Wellington, and nothing would be finally decided until then.

The Commission then adjourned to enable the parties interested to investigate the returns.