Property Assessments.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1808, 17 March 1886, Page 2

Property Assessments.

To the Editor of the Standard.

Sib I would point out to yonr reader* tba advisability of objecting to the exoeuiva valuation of their properties. Personally, I have no objection to paying taxes, but whan wrongful valuations are made, it is time for something to be said. I believe that many valuators under the Property Tax were informed that generally their last valuation were too low, and they raised them accordingly. Just fancy, Sir,'such a state of things. The true value of the property was not to ba taken as correct, but only what the commissioner of tbe Property Tax or tome Minister of tbe Government thongbt tbe tax ahould bring into the treasury. This, of oouraa, is wrong. Let the valuation be correct as a base, and then tax accordingly. We shell at all events get at the truth that way, and 't is also necessary to watch all local valuations very closely aa tba Property Tax ia baaed sometimes upon these. These valuators positively think that their duty is to make their valuations aa high at pottibia. Their duty is, Sir, to ba truthful, no matter what tbe result may ba. I think it a disgrace that such an army of valuator* ahould b* employed at all in Mew Zealand, and th* Government to have taken our test local men. This is one result of tba borrowing policy, and it is a bad bnsioes*.

Now as to the constitution of onr Assess* meut Courts. The people must see that these conns are filled by the very best and ruost independent men we possess. Upon these judges depends a truthful value. William the Norman chose bis ptincipal barons in each county to make the doomsday survey, and that survey and valuation stands out for its truthfulness as one of the marvels of history. I believe Messrs Boys, Booth, and Moore have been appointed assessors for tbs Lower Valley lands. Ido not think the selection at all a good one. My opinion Is that Mr Charles Blgar, of Featberston, Mr John Tully, ef Greytowo, and Mr Boys wonld have made a far better court, as they are thoroughly acquainted with onr lands, and are good judges of their vsloes. Mr F. O. Moore ie also thoroughly acquainted with the North Valley lands, and will make an esoellenl judge in bis own district. Mr Booth hu little or no acquaintance with onr pastoral lands, nor of their true value. I would •troogly advise any Government to be espscially careful in this matter, for nothing aunoya a population sooner than an anrooeona valuation of their lands. The magnitude of tbe matter can be seen from M»jor Atkin, eon’s own ideas. 1 was shown about a year since that gentleman's estimate of tbe valne of property in New Zealand—l think it wai one hundred and sixty eight millions. I returned the pacer with tbe remtrk " put it down at eighty millions."

I am, Ac., Coi.cman Phillips. Dry Biver, March 12th. tSfj’i. P. S. At the lust meeting ol the FeathersRoad Board the treasurer pointed oat that tbe local valnor, Mr Sheet, had increased his last valuation by tdie sum of £119.000. 1 think this statement perfectly correct, and that there has been nothin,; whatever to wan ant snch an incioase. Property has rather decreased in value.