THE VALUATIONS OF PROPERTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9086, 21 June 1888, Page 6

THE VALUATIONS OF PROPERTY.

MEETING OF PROPERTY OWNERS.* An adjourned meeting of the ratepayers of; the Northcote district, convened for the purpose of considering the valuations of property, was held at the Gladstone Hall, ■ Northcote, yesterday evening, Mr. Hawes presiding. There was only a moderate attendance.

The Chairman pointed out that the ratepayers were suffering from an excess of taxation, which they were not able to bear, and this was owing to the undue valuations made by Mr. Seaman, and to his speculative propensities. He (Mr. Howes) thought that an independent valuer should be appointed for the district—a man who was not a landowner or represented in the district. Mr. Monk was fighting in the House for a repeal of the property tax, but he (the speaker) did not think that he would gain his object, a3 Sir Harry Atkinson, the father of the tax, had no property. _If matters went on in the present direction people would, he feared, rise in open rebellion against the heavy taxation. Mr. Hawes produced a petition to the House, drafted in accordance with instructions given at the previous meeting, and which read as follows :—

The petition of the undersigned ratepayers of the Northcote and Birkenhead districts humbly sheweth :—That they view with alarm "the probable appointment of ! Mr. Thomas Seaman as property-tax valuer, and respectfully submit the following reasons : —1. That he is collector, paid by commission, by the Highway Board, and that as the highway rates are based on the property-tax valuations, he has a direct interest in making the said valuations as high as possible. 2. That, being implicated in the Stark purchase he puts as high a valuation as he can on other properties in the district, so as to justify his excessive valuation ot Stark's property. 3. That being a resident of the district, and having friends and enemies therein, and being at the same time property-tax valuator, he is in a position to assist his friends and punish his enemies through the agency of a Government tax. And we therefore pray that Mr. Thomas Seaman may not be re appointed property-tax valuer for our district. Mr. Hawes said that the petition would remain on the table for signature, if adopted by the meeting. Mr. A. Bruce agreed with the remarks of the chairman with respect to the taxation of property. Since he had come to the district he had been of opinion that the valuation of land in Northcote was fictitious in character. At the List meeting he was of opinion that Mr. man should be removed, buttheidea had since occurred to him that that gentleman had perhaps made a mistake, and that it would be well, therefore, if a deputation were appointed from the meeting to wait upon Mr. Seaman and ascertain what his- views were upon the subject. It was a delicate matter to petition the Government for the removal of a man who had to earn his bread and butter just as any other man had. The members of the Borough Council at a conference held recently expressed themselves unanimously of opinion that the values of property in the district were too high. Mr. Bruce contended that the principle of paying a valuator by percentage upon his valuations was wrong. He did not approve, however, of any reference in the petition to " friends and enemies"(hear, hear) to the Stark purchase. Mr. Deri by had told him that his property was valued at £2700, and he (Mr. Bruce) did not think that half that sum would be given for the property. Mr. Lind said he was willing to sell his property for half the sum at which it was valued. Mr. Faulkner pointed out - that Mr. Seaman consulted many of the property owners when making the valuations, and if they were dissatisfied, they could exercise the power of appeal. Property was much more valuable three years ago than at the present time. They should not be too hard upon Mr. Seaman, or too personal either. He did not agree with the wording of the petition, which he considered too personal. The Chairman tiaid that Mr. Seaman had told him that any improvements he made would be exempt from the tax, and ho (Mr. Ilawes) had thus been misled. No working man could afford to attend the Assessment Court day after day, waiting until his name was called, and he would.have a chance of appealing. Mr. Brock moved, "That a deputation be appointed to interview Mr. Seaman, and ascertain his views on the subject of the valuations, and what course he would pursue were he again appointed valuer." The motion 'Was seconded by Mr. Faulkner, and agreed to without dissent. Messrs. W. Wilson, Lind, A. Bruce, Faulkner, and Hilditch, were appointed the deputation to wait upon Mr. Seaman on Friday.