LAND VALUATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11557, 19 April 1898, Page 3

LAND VALUATION.

MEETING AT LEESTON. A well-attended and representative meeting, convened for the purpose _of protesting against the excessive valuation of the Ellesmere district, was held in tho Leoston Town Hall on Friday. Mr W. M’Millan, chairman of the Ellesmere Road Board, presided. In his opening remarks the Chairman stated that he was fully in sympathy with the objects of the meeting, and gave tho opinion that very great care was necessary, in the appointment of valuers, as the valufl ation of land was a matter in which only practical men could give satisfactory results. He mentioned that tho valuer who assessed his property had expressed the opinion that the improvements on the farm had become exhausted. Mr A. M’Lachlan considered that tho cause of much dissatisfaction was the .£SOO exemption clause. He considered the land should be taxed and the improvements exempted. The depreciation of improvements by the valuer was against the spirit of the Act.

Mr E. Lochhead endorsed the opinions expressed by the previous speaker, and mentioned that unless the Government showed more consideration to the agriculturalists this class would, in due time, be wiped out of existence. Mr T. B. Howson characterised the present system of appointing valuators as “ cheap and nasty.” Very few of the men appointed to act in this capacity were fitted for the work, and he stated that the valuer who assessed his farm mentioned that he was instructed to add 15 per cent: to existing values. The fluctuation in the valuation in his immediate neighbourhood was sufficient proof that the assessments were conducted by “ rule of thumb ” and not by practical valuation. Mr Moorhead also spoke very strongly against the work done by the local valuer, and considered the system of appointing valuers required reformation. Mr .1. Boag considered that the Government should be requested to is--value the whole district.

Mr J. E. Campbell moved to the effect that the Ellesmere Eoad Board should be requested to communicate with tho proper authorities, asking that the previous valuation, which is a much more equitable one, should be adhered to for the purpose of striking the incoming rate. The motion was duly seconded and carried. - Messrs M’Evedy, Coe, Tolerton, Sowdan and others also added their protest to the current valuation. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.