VALUATION APPEAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, 17 July 1930, Page 8

VALUATION APPEAL.

DECISION RESERVED. The appeal by the Public Trustee against the Government Valuation for death duties placed on a farm situated at Winscombe near Fairlie. owned by the estate of the late William Evans, was continued at the Courthouse yesterday before Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M. Mr L. E. Finch appeared for appellant, and Mr F. Stowell. district land valuer, appeared on behalf of the Valuer-General. The case was adjourned from Tuesday when the evidence of the only witness for the defence was being heard. John Dailey, retired farmer, continued his evidence as to the running of the farm. Mr Finch pointed out that there were various inaccuracies in witness’s statement in estimating the cost of operating Mr Evans’s farm. There was an error of £ll6 in his estimate of the rates, an error of £sl too much in the addition of the income items, and an addition of £179 too little in the expenses. The total of the errors represented meant a shortage of £466 per annum in income. Witness contended that £3OO would fence the swamp property to make it suitable for sheep. He disagreed with the other witnesses in their opinions of the quality of the land ap£ the possibilities of mixed farming. In his opinion, all necessary ploughing could be done by one team. Witness was subjected to lengthy cross-examination by Mr Finch in regard to his estimate but maintained throughout that his calculations were practicable. Mr Stowell offered no further evidence. The Magistrate, in reserving his decision, said that there was a mass of evidence to digest, and he would have to go through this before making his report.