ASSESSED TOO LOW.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16508, 25 March 1914, Page 10

ASSESSED TOO LOW.

A WELLINGTON DISPUTE. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 24

Tho contention that the ground rentals of certain Corporation properties in the city were assessed too low was the basis of an action heard before tho Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) at tho Supreme Court to-day. A motion was made on behalf of the City Council that tho award fixing leases in dispute made by William Mount Hannay, Joseph Prime Maxwell and Alexander Macintosh (arbitrators), dated October 31, 1913. bo set aside, on the ground that "William Mouat Hannay and Alexander Macintosh had misconducted themselves in that they did not net judiciously, and were biased in favour of the lessees." The motion further set out that the rentals for the renowed term of fourteen years were "grossly under what a prudent lessee would give for the ground." The sections affected are in Customhouse Quay, Brandon and Panama Streets, and Lambton Quay, and arc occupied by several lessees, Aitken, Wilson und Co., Kirkcaldie and Stains, Hall and Knight and George and lversley-

In support of the motion Mr T. F. Martin said that the awards were deemed to be so low compared with the rentals paid by other lessees for similar leases that the City ' Council had thought it was its duty to bring the matter befor© tho Court, particularly as a considerable number of valuations had yet to be made. The case was unfinished when the Court rose.