GOVERNMENT VALUERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9222, 26 May 1910, Page 5

GOVERNMENT VALUERS.

The alleged vagaries of Government valuere were roundly condemned at the Farmers' Union Conference at Marton on Tuesday, and the indignation of delegates was backed up by at least three peculiar instances. No. 1 was the case of some fencing which had to be valued amongst certain other improvements on a farm in order that the unimproved value might be arrived at. The farm belonged to Mr Hoekley (Hunterville), and the fencing cost him 18s per chain. He was allowed 10s only for it by the Government valuer. Case No. 2 was more serious. Mr J. Balsillie (Palmerston) stated that the valuation of his farm had been so raised that it just brought his holding within the increased taxation imposed by the graduated ecale. Instead of paying £6 the amount of taxation had been raised to "I mentioned the matter to Mr " (giving the valuer's name), said Mr Balsilhe, "and said it was rather peculiar that it had just been brought within the increased scale." "Oh," said Mr Blank, "why did you not let me know? I'would have squared it up." Case No. 3 was related by Mr Hockley. He stated that in the case of a lease in perpetuity the respective interests of [ the tenant and . those of the Crown had to be assessed. The unimproved value of the holding was set down at £4 10s per acre, "and what," asked Mr Hockley, "do you think occurred? In a 999 years' lease the interest of the Government was assessed at £3 ss, and the tenant's at £1 5s per acre." Previously, another delegate had stated that the State's reversionary interest in a lease in. perpetuity holding was not worth the price of a postage stamp. ___