VIEWS OF DEPARTMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 145, 22 May 1939, Page 8

VIEWS OF DEPARTMENT.

STATEMENT OF POSITION. THE AGGREGATE RISE. In view of the discussions which have taken place in connection with tlie revised valuations in the Alanawatu County enquiries made from an officer of tlie Valuation Department reveal the following facts, given in the form of a statement to the “Evening Standard” to-day:—-“The increase in tlie improved value of the county (including the Rongotea town district) is only about £240,000, or about 10 per cent, above the values existing prior to the revision. Owing to tlie fact that certain properties were reduced in value subsequent to 19 L 8 (tne date of the previous revision) a comparison of the original 1918 figures with those of today would show a lesser increase than 10 per cent. “Further, although the previous valuation was officially adopted as at March 31, 1918, the valuation was actually made in 1917 and no- account whatever was taken of boom values. The district valuer stated the field books would be available in proof of tliis statement. ‘‘Certain readjustments have been made in the unimproved values to meet altered conditions in different parts of the county, but as the valuer informed the Alanawatu County Council at its last meeting, every owner will have not only the fullest opportunity, if he so desires, of discussing in detail every aspect of his own valuation, but comparisons with values of adjoining properties will be invited. “No comparison with 1918 values is satisfactorily possible because of the many factors operating, and the changes which have taken place in the last 21 years as the result of reading, drainage, etc. It was suggested that the only way for an owner to proceed is to ask himself whether the property would realise the capital value assessed if offered for sale, on reasonable terms and conditions; in other words, what is a fair selling value to-day irrespective of the previous valuation. In any case an increase in values does not necessarily mean an increase in rates because the County Council can reduce the rate in the £ to produce the same amount of revenue as previously. A number of owners have already expressed their agreement with the new figures, and the information in the possession of the department regarding owners’ estimates of the values of their properties justifies the valuer in assuming that, whatever individual adjustment may be necessary, any differences of opinion on the question can be met. “The chairman of the county concurred in the cancelling of the meetings arranged by the valuer, meanwhile, but arrangements will be made, and duly advertised later, for owners to meet the valuer, when, as stated above, the fullest information will gladly be given. “It might interest the ratepayers to know that the county was recommended for revision at least six years ago, as part of a programme for this particular district, the counties being revalued from time to time as circumstances warrant, so that the county under review has just been valued in its turn, and not as the result of any sudden decision to meet any particular conditions whatever.”