LAND VALUATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10718, 12 October 1920, Page 2

LAND VALUATION

THE ASSESSMENT COURT. "AN UNSATISFACTORY POSITION." Replying to a communication from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the Prime Minister stated that he was obtaining a report respecting tho chamber's request that one of the assessors of the Assessment Court provided for in the new Act should be appointed by the ratepayers, as recommended by the Commission sot up in 1915. Later, Mr Massey wrote to say that he was confirmed in hk opinion that the method of appointment of assessors by the local authorities would ensure security for equitable representation of ratepayers. "As "the bill provides for the appointment of a permanent president of the Assessment Court—who will devote his time to tho duties of his office—it may be reasonably anticipated that the knowledge of values and familiarity with the problems involved in the practical work of valuation which !he will acquire are reasonable guarantee that tho grounds of dissatisfaction with tho existing court will disappear." . It was remarked, "when the correspondence was read at yesterday's rdeoting of the chamber, that it was now too late to make further protest, but that the position was unsatisfactory.