RATING ON LAND VALUES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13311, 13 June 1907, Page 6

RATING ON LAND VALUES.

(To 'the Editor of the Timaru Herald.) ■Sir,—l was passing through Timaru yesterday and I noticed that several cottages w«re being erected' on very small sections, and the fact, called "to my mind'the solemn warning you gave'the ratepayers of Timaru just on the eve of the poll taken two years ag<J for,the.adoption of the rating on land value system. You'told the people, that there would be overcrowding if this system of rating; was adopted. You said that was the effect it was having in 'Christchurch. Very recently the • Church' Property Trustees of Chri'itchurch, through agents/ disposed of a block of land in ,St. Albans, fronting the Papanui Road, -nd right opposite; tins'fine residence of Mr.G. G. Stead. I have the sale plans whereon it is shown that the sections are all quarter acres and over, and the agents informed m-j that several people had' purchased two or three sections with the object of having more room. T have seen the sale plan of the late Hon. J. T. Peacock's property, also on the Papanui Road, but" nearer the city. "The sections here >are quarter acres and more, one being an acre section. Now in'the Heathcote Road District, where the Capital Value System, of rating is, in operation, a block of land was cut up recently and the greater bulk of. the sections were only a. little: over one-eighth of an acre—--24 and 26 perches. In- your own 'town 1 am toi.4.by a builder, some of the building sites are only 10 >nd 12 perches, and I saw to-day in Cross Street two new cottages erected on sites' about .the- 16tli partof an' acre. You may forget these little facts when the next poll is taken for the adoption of rating on land value system, bvir I have Jfcik doubt that the ratepayers will remember you helped to mislead them hurt time:. .1 do not think you will succeed in doing so nest time. Good-bye Mr Editor. • ' ' • I am-, etc., ''■'"- H. G. ELL.