DARGAVILLE'S PROGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15949, 21 June 1915, Page 8

DARGAVILLE'S PROGRESS.

INCREASES IN VALUATIONS.

MANY NEW BUILDINGS.

A valuation? of all ratable properties within the borough of Dargaville has been completed. It shows a considerable increase on that which previously obtained. When the borough was formed in 1908, the unimproved value of the sections was £63.659, whilst this year's assessment is '£226,310. Improvements are.estimated at £153,920, thus creating a capital value of £380,260.

In no case has there been any undue appraisements, for few objections were lodged with the Assessment Court, which practically sustained the whole of the Valuation Department's figures. Land in the chief business area has been rated at £40 per foot on an average, whilst the . selling and also the purchasing price of such is at least 50 per cent, higher, The increase in values is due to the steady development of the borough and the large increaso of buildings. During the year ended May 31, the issue of building permits totalled 52, the estimated cost of the structures being £20,391. The population of the borough at the last census was 1291, but it is now close on -20g0. The State school is the largest north of Auckland, and has become so overcrowded that the Board of Education has asked the Minister for Education to grant a sum sufficient to enlarge the building so as to afford accommodation for 60 more children. The convent school which has 150 pupils, is also taxed to its utmost capacity. A manual and technical school has been completed, and is to be opened during this month. Three banking institutions are doing business, and each possesses valuable sites and buildings. During tho past three years £25 000 has teen expended. mi forming and metalling 12 miles of road.] and 20 miles of footwhys, whilst £1000 has boon disbursed on foreshore improvements. A gravitation water supply scheme is now under way a tender for the supply of pipes has been accepted and the work is estimated to Cfst £35,000. Gasworks established two years ago have proved a valuable investrunt, last year's operations showing a credit balance of £600. ! The growth of the borough is, of course, due to the forming development of the sur' iGundmg country. The Kaihu Valley, which is traversed by railwav for 20 miles, and which is row being extended four miles further into Hokianga Countv is becoming more closely populated, ,and trains carry daily to and from Dargaville considerable freightages of passengers and l Rr -t^ 8 ' 11 tvf are daily steam services with all settlements southward to Run wai, and northward to Tangiteroria, and the volume of trade so created is evidenced by, the fact that the extensive wharf accommodation is proving insufficient for 'lie reeds of shipping, . .