ASSESSMENT COURT. (Before H. N. Northcroft Esq.)

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1196, 26 February 1880, Page 2

ASSESSMENT COURT. (Before H. N. Northcroft Esq.)

j HAMILTON BOROUGH. ' Ohas. Wallnutt appealed against the rate as excessive. The reduction was al« lowed from £2 per acre to £1 per acre per annum. Samuel Tanfield and T. C. Hammond ; objectors did not appear and the respective valuations were sustained. HAMILTON HIGHWAY DISTRICT. Thomas Jolly, objector, who was rated at £700, objeoted to the amount as excessive. The objection had been sent in undated. Mr F. A. Whitaker acting on behalf of the Board, held that the omission of the !date was fatal to the objection, the Act saying that these objections tendered by individuals should be as near t© the schedule as possible. Mr Hay contended that it was an extremely hard case that the objection should be thrown out for an informality of this kind considering that the Act said that objections should be as nearly as possible, only in accordance with the schedule. Evidence had been got in support of the case by competent valuators for 100 acres swamp £3 10s per acre, £350 ; 88 acres do., surface sown, at £4, £352 ; 140 grass land at £9, £1260 ; capital value, £1962 ; less 10 per cent, deducted in accordance with the law, £196 4s. House and outbuildings, £600, less 20 per cent £150 ; net value, £480. _ Fenceng and other improvements, partially exhausted, £390 4s. The Act says that a minimum of five per cent, may be put on net capital value. In this case putting on 10 per cent., it would leave the rateable value at £263 12s, 'instead of about £700 as before alluded to. The Court resolved that the objection of Mr Whitaker, on the date not being given, was fatal.

TAMAHERE. The Assessment Court was held at the residence of J. C. Wood Esq on Tuesday morning. Only two objections had been lodged — those of Mr J. A. Douglas and Mr J. T. Taylor for land leased from the chief Hargreaves. Neither objector however appeared to substantiate his objection, and judgement went by default for the valuator "vrith costs.

KIRIKIRIROA. The Court was held at noon at the residence of Lewis O'Neill Esq. John CrossLie appeared to support a claim for reduction. He was valued he stated far in excess of the value of the property. The Court ruled that the objection could not be sustained inasmuch as it waa not framed according to the 4th schedule of the Act, and must be dismissed as informal. Robert Lamb appeared to object to the assessment placed upon his property at Ngaraawahia. It was valued as worth £225 per annum, fully £100 above its yearly value. The Court said the objector had not appealed last year and therefore evidently admitted the fairness of the valuation. The Valuator had made out a case which objector had brought no evidence to disprove. The valuation must be sustained. Dennis Marklean. There was no appearance, and judgement went by default. The Valuator asked the Court that he might be allowed expenses in the above cases as he was allowed nothing by the Highway Boards. The Court said it could not allow expenses in the two first cases ; for the objeetoi's, by appearing, had presumably not been trifling with the Court. Where, however, an objector did not appear, it would be made rule to allow costs and in the case of Dennis Marklean costs would be allowed.