ASSESSMENT COURT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 214, 24 February 1882, Page 2

ASSESSMENT COURT.

Captain Wray, R.M., yesterday sat a3 a Judge in the Assessment Court, to hear objections to the Hawera Road Board valuation. There were objections lodged by two persons, viz : Messrs. Quinn and Wilson, of Normanby. Mr. Quinn appeared and oomplained of the valuation of his property in the Normanby extension, viz £ £50. He pointed out that last year it was valued at £25, and this year, therefore, it was doubled, although in his opinion, the value of property at Normanby had depreciated. Beside that, he was rated much higher in proportion to other pesons. In answer to questions, he said the land cost £286. On one of the sections there was a house, three rooms of which were finished, lv& other two rooms were in an unfinished cpndition. The house coat £140; but it was built when the timber and labor were dear.

In answer to Captain Wray, who enquired how it was that property hid decreased in value in Normanby, Mr. Quinn said it was a race between Hawera and Normanby, and Hawera had got the start, owing to Major Atkinson's aotion in connection with the railway. Captain "Wray said he suspeoted that the two places were too close together. After further examination, the Judge said as there was no map before him, he could not'test the statements that appellant was rated higher than other people, because everything depended upon position ; but, so far as he was able to see, he thought the section on which the house stood, should be valued at £25, and the remainder of the land at £10. Assessment reduced to £35.

Mr. Quin also appealed against assessment of sections 6 and 12, block XIII., Ngaire. The former was valued at M per acre, and the latter at £8. It appeared that the former was oleared aud that the latter was not, except so far as giving room for a ring fence was concerned. Section 12 was purchased at £2 14s. on deferred payment, which appellant said represented £1 16s. as the cash price ; the boundary had been partially fenced, and there was bush felled to allow of a ring fence. Mr. Bate said the Dalziel road had been opened since the land was purchased, and property in that locality had increased in value.

Mr. Quin said he could not bring instances to prove that the property was valued higher than other properties, because the two nearest properties were not on the roll when it was first made up* They were now on the roll, bat had been put there since. Mr. Bate indignantly denied the statement; and The Judge said he was perfectly satisfied that the accusation was untrue. He would maintain the valuation of section 6, but reduce that on section 12 to £2 per acre.

Mr. Quin applied for costs, but the application was refused. Mr. Wilson did not appear to support his objections.