NEW VALUATION OF COUNTY

Southland Times, Issue 24433, 13 May 1941, Page 6

NEW VALUATION OF COUNTY

IMPROVEMENTS RISEN BY £1,000,000

OTHER ASSESSMENTS WRITTEN DOWN

The capital valuation of the county of Southland has increased by almost £1,000,000 since the last revaluation was made in 1932, but the unimproved value has been marked down by £290,000. The new figures for the revaluation just completed in the county show the capital value to be £13,815,758, the unimproved value £6,190,428, and the value of improvements £7,625,330. This information was released yesterday by the officer in charge of the Valuation Department at Invercargill, Mr M. T. John.

Both capital and unimproved valuations are now substantially lower than they were 20 years ago after the 1921 revaluation. It is understood that as a result of a very complete survey made by the field officers of the department there have been considerable alterations in the assessments. Values of the poorer land in the country have been written down, while the richer land has been assessed at a higher figure. It is claimed that greater consideration has been given to the productive capacity of the land in the light of modern knowledge than in previous revaluations, and every effort has been made to eliminate anomalies. The field officers apparently considered that poor land in the southern portions of the county had been assessed too highly in the past in comparison with the rich areas in the central portion. The task of revaluing the county has been a big one and has occupied the department almost two years. The county is one of the largest in New Zealand and extends for about 100 miles from one extremity to the other. Altogether more than 12,000 assessments were posted to ratepayers a fortnight ago. Yesterday was the last day for lodging objections and it is expected that the total number of objections will approach 300, which is considered to be a very small percentage. The new figures with those at the revaluations in 1932 and 1921 stated for comparison are as follows:

PROTEST AGAINST INCREASES

ASSESSING UNIMPROVED

VALUE

A protest against increases in assessments for the unimproved value of land in the Southland County has been lodged by the Southland Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union. The secretary, Mr A. L. Adamson, has written to the Valuer-General, Mr W. Stewart, asking for an explanation for the increases which have occurred. “We have had numerous complaints from our members about the recent revaluation of their properties within the Southland county,” stated Mr Adamson in his letter. “Those complaining are very disturbed at the considerable increase in the unimproved value of their properties as a result of the valuation. It is realized that they will have their opportunity to appeal against the assessment, but in the meantime the executive would be pleased to receive from you any information of the reasons for the increase in the unimproved value. In certain cases the increase in the improved value is quite understandable, but the reason for the increase in the unimproved value is obscure. “It would appear that from the number of complaints received, the valuers have been working on a general principle resulting in higher unimproved values, and as already indicated this executive would be pleased if you could inform it of the reason for what appears to be a general increase.”

Capital £ Unimproved 1941 13,815,758 6,190,428 1932 12,817,873 6,480,946 1921 14,695,613 9,687,726 The new assessments 1 for the individual ridings of the county are as follows: Capital Unimproved £ £ Oreti 976,455 510,820 Waikaia 776,717 379,252 Winton 2,032,325 967,665 Waihopai 1,708,935 669,565 Hokonui 1,093,405 549,730 Mataura 1,642,060 879,695 Wallacetown 2,259,276 826,091 Awarua 1,814,230 779,575 Toe Toes 1,512,355 628,035