VALUATIONS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7390, 17 February 1902, Page 2

VALUATIONS.

At the County Council meeting on Saturday, a circular was read from the Sydenham Borough Council re the compilation of the valuation rolls, and stating that tho conference delegates there had passed resolutions complaining of the cumbersome and insufficient methods adopted by the Government Valuation Department, and the excessive^ cost to local authorities, and suggesting that the work of compiling and revising district valuation rolls should be left to the local authorities. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in charge of the Valuation Department, in reply to letters sent conveying these resolutions, said the cost had been reduced, and he denied the charges of inefficiency and inequality.

The Chairman said from what the Clerk had stated at last meeting he did not think they could do better than they were doing under the present system.

In reply to Cr Maunder, the Clerk said he had not gone thoroughly into the matter, but thought the present system of valuation should in the future be cheaper than the old one.

Cr Maunder was of the same opinion. •Cr Boddie said a comparison of the cost would prove that the present system would be cheaper. Cr McLean asked how about the cost of re-valuation.

Cr Boddie said that another revaluation might not be required for ten years.

Cr McLean remarked that the statement of the Hon. Mr Mills, that the valuations throughout were uniform, should not be allowed to go unchallenged.

The Chairman said in cases where anomalies existed they should be pointed out, but he did not know that they could better the present system. Cr McLean said in this district the values were 1\ per cent, higher that in other places.

The Clerk thought it might be as well to wait and see how the present system worked.

The Chairman knew two properties with only a fence between which were valued at Ll6 and L3O respectively. Cr Boddie sayl the suggestion that the local body could appoint a man to act with the Government .Valuer might help matters. The letter will be acknowledged.