PROPERTY VALUATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20901, 17 June 1931, Page 5

PROPERTY VALUATION.

OWNER SEEKS INCREASE. AN UNUSUAL APPLICATION, [from oce own correspondent.] PUKEKOHE, Tuesday. An increase in the valuation of a property in the borough was sought by Mr. John Routly, when a sitting of the Assessment Court was held at Pukekoho to-day. A revaluation of property in the borough was made recently. Mr. Routly is Mayor of Pukekohe. The president of the Court, Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, remarked that an application for an increase in valuation was rather unusual.

Mr. Routly explained that the department valued tho property, three acres, at £1155, whereas a year ago it was valued for probato purposes at £1520. As part owner and trustee of tho property, on which he resided, ho could see no reason why the assessment of 12 months ago should bo departed from, and he asked that tho valuation bo increased to £ISOO. The department's present valuo depreciated the property unduly in the event of a buyer negotiating for it. He would not sell it for £ISOO. Mr. Ilewitt; What about the 10 per cent, cut? Mr. Routly: I don't think it should apply in this case. The house alone is insured for £IOOO and there aro other substantial improvements on the property. Tho land itself is subdivided into building sections. Finally Mr. Hewitt said: Well, if you arc prepared to pay extra rates, I shall not raise any objection to an increase in Yalun. An increase to £I4OO was granted. OTHER OBJECTIONS HEARD. SEVERAL REDUCTIONS GRANTED# [from our own correspondent.] PUKEKOHE, Tuesday. Eleven property-owners applied to the Assessment Court to-day for reductions in the valuations of their properties at Pukekohe. Reductions were granted in eight cases, tho amounts ranging up to £390 in the case of a property originally assessed at £2500.