EASEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19159, 16 November 1927, Page 8

EASEMENTS.

QUESTION OP VALUATIONS. Some discussion took place at last night's meeting of the Drainage Board regarding the valuation of certain easements. The Works Committee reported that Mr Albert Freeman had given the following valuations of easements: Mrs Andrews £6O, Skellerup £l2O, Geo. Gould £225. With tho concurrence of the chairman of the Board the secretary had submittod offers to these owners in accordance with the valuations and the offers had been accepted by Mrs Andrews and Mr Geo. Gould. When the report was prepared a reply had not been received from Mr Skellerup. The committee approved of the action of the secretary. Mr H. G. Livingstone, when the adoption of the clause in the Works Committee's report was proposed, objected that the valuations were out of proportion to the damage done to the properties.

The chairman (Mr H. J". Otley) said everyone in Christchurch had faith in Mr Freeman's valuations, and if the Board could not take the word of an expert there would bo little use in members going and looking over the properties. If they were not satisfied with the valuer they should appoint another. Tho valuer's instructions were to give the value of the land in respect of the damage done after taking into consideration the benefit the owner would get from the installation of the sewer. Mr J. W. Beanland (chairman of the committee) said that having engaged Mr Freeman, the committee either had to accept his valuations or disagree with them, and to disagree with them would have been very shabby. Mr Livingstone said that in future offers should not be made to owners, even after valuations had been made, until the Board had had an opportunity of discussing them. The chairman: Then you should appoint two valuers. The Board should not be put into a position it is not capable of carrying out. The clause was agreed to.