MOUNT EDEN VALUATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20792, 7 February 1931, Page 16

MOUNT EDEN VALUATIONS.

Sir, —The. unjust increase in Mctmt Eden property valuations at this time' of serious decline in ' actual values is the sequel to the recent sanctioning el the loan of against the wishes of the majority of those who have to pay for it. When the said loan proposals were before the ratepayers, the -| Mayor of Mount Eden and others said , it would be "selfish" to turn them down, k But it was not fair that those! who have J already done the' roading and drain-'i ing of their own section of the borou/jh, with little or no , assistance from the { newer section, should be expected to" share equally with' the newer section in roading and draining this bntlyifig area. The rejection of the loan proposals was : just and right, and amounted to a vote of no confidence in the Mayor and the Borough Council. Then the action <A the Health Department, in aiding the Mayor and the Borough Council, to force this needless expense upon the ratepayers, is strongly and justly resented. Nobody denies that- good drainage is conducive to health, but . there is .no end to ' the work and expense which: might lie forced on the .city and boroughs under the pretext of health requirements. On similar grounds the city might be -forced properly to drain s Queen Street, cover up the Archhill sewer, and carry ontjll sorts of expensive sanitary measures. "The Mount Eden Borough vacations are based on .the rental value, vrbich I consider is the safest and smndest method," says Mr. E. H. Po««. Thsf is far too simple and. crude Nominal rents are not always tra.wto. When nominal rental value is ro&ietV basis of rating, some miserable v&icls. with a large frontage on a leading thoroughfare, pays far less in rates thansom? valuable property, with narrow frontage or entrance on a side street, which cosh the borough far less. This state of affairs is intolerable, and if ;the Mayor and Borough Council cannot do ' better, they should jnaks way for those who can. , Mount Eden Yicrar.