VALUER CRITICISED

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1934, Page 6

VALUER CRITICISED

moturoa reservoir site. COUNCIL PROTESTS STRONGLY. The justice of a valuation made by the district valuer in respect of the purchase of land for the new reservoir site at Moturoa was strongly challenged by the New Plymouth Borough Council at its meeting last night. Councillors quoted a letter received by the finance 'committee in which it was stated that the district valuer had assessed the value of the land at £3OO, “because it was required for a reservoir site.” The purchase of the land will be. completed on the new valuation in lieu of the agreed price of £270, but the council’s solicitors will be instructed to advise the Valuer-General and bring imder the notice of the judge of the Native Land Court “that the council strongly protests against the attitude of the district valuer in allotting a value of £3OO to a piece of land because it was required for a reservoir site when in the same valuation he assesses the value as a residential site at £200.” Cr. S. J. Smith said that he took, strong exception to the attitude shown in the differential valuation. It was regrettable that such a letter should be received. Cr. P. E. Stainton said that the principle applied was surely wrong. What the land was used for should have nothing to do with the valuation. Councillors, however, decided that they could do nothing in the matter. There was no objection raised to the price, but merely to the principle involved in the valuation. Mr. Stainton asked if it was suggested that the matter should be referred again to the district valuer, and Cr. T. P. Anderson replied, “that is the valuation. I am afraid it will stand at that.” Cr. F. S. Grayling: It was an original sort of valuation.