VALUATION ROLL ERROR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20678, 25 September 1930, Page 15

VALUATION ROLL ERROR.

EXCESS PAYMENT OF RATES. DISCOVERY AFTER SEVEN YEARS STEPS TO OBTAIN REFUND. [BV telegraph.—-own correspondent.] TAUItANGA. "Wednesday. / An unusual case in regard to an error in tho valuation roll and tho payment of rates for sonio years' beyond the amount due was revealed at a meeting of tho Tair ranga Borough Council this week. Mr. C. E. Macmillin, M.P., in a letter regarding tho valuation of Mrs. S. Layno's property in the borough, stated that investigation in the borough offico disclosed that Mrs. Layno's property was valued in 1923 as capital value £750, unimprovod value £750. Ho took the matter up with tho Valuor-General, and after several interviews with him ho advised that tho record in tho valuation roll was tho result of a mistake and that tho correct entry should liavo been capital £7lO, unimproved £2lO, improvements £SOO. Mr. Macmillan then added as Mrs. Layne had always paid rates it was obvious that over a period of seven years tho Borough Council had collected rates on £540 of excess value, to which tho council had no just right. "If you agree with me that Mrs. Layno is entitled to a refund of tho excess sho has paid," ho continued, "I shall be pleased to move a clause for inclusion in this year's local legislation bill drafted by tho Crown law draughtsman validating tho refund. "There is no doubt that Mrs. Layne has suffered great loss through the error ol tho Valuation Department and to the same extent that sho has lost the borough finance has gained.-. Therefore, the mistake having been discovered, tho right way to correct it is to refund tho money. Please advise me what your council's views in tho matter are." Tho Mayor, Mr. B. C. Robbins, said it was a peculiar position. Owing to the error made by tho Valuation Department tho sum of £7O or £BO had been overpaid by Mrs. Layno. It was a. hardship, but tho council could not make a refund except by special legislation. If a clause were inserted in the Local Legislation Bill he contended it should refer only to tho case of Mrs. Layne. If the legislation wero passed the council could not make a refund during the present financial year but could do so next year. Ho moved that tho Mayor bo authorised to consult with the borough solicitor with the view of preparing a clause to bo inserted in tho Local Legislation Bill to meet tho case. The Mayor's motion was carried.