VALUATION OF LAND.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13635, 25 November 1914, Page 7

VALUATION OF LAND.

[United Prkss Association.]

Wellington, Nov. 24

The commission, consisting of Messrs Thomas F. Martin, barrister, Wellington (chairman), rv.ven A. Campbell,, farmer, "Wanganui, and James G, Rutherford, farmer, Auckland, appointed by the Government to inquire' into and report upon certain matters relating to the valuation of land, held its first .sitting to-day. Only formal business was transacted.

The commission is directed :— (1) To inquire into such cases of alleged excessive values as may be brought under its notice and report whether those values were assigned _ in accordance with the definitions ''uniinpiwed value" and "value of improvements" in the Valuation of Land Amendment Act, ]912. (2) To consider' whether the assessment court -under the Valuation of Land Act is so constituted as- to ensure an equitable consideration of objections, and to recommend, if considered 'necessary or expedient, an alternative which will improve the composition of the court, while at the same time preserving its judicial character. (3) To consider and report whether section 31 of the Valuation of. Land Act, 1908, affords an owner who is not satisfied with the value of his land as fixed by the assessment court an equitable alternative. . (4) To report upon the methods _or the Valuation Department in making valuations, and generally to make inquiry into any other matters winch may'come under the notice, of the crr.nmission in the course of its inquiries • The commission is to report by December 21st.