Low Land Sales Values Cause Concern

Chronicle (Levin), 2 October 1948, Page 6

Low Land Sales Values Cause Concern

INVERCARGILL, Oet. 1. : Concern at the increasing numb.er of low values being fixed by the Southland Land Saies Court for sections and residential property in Invercargill was expressed at a meeting of inembers oi the Southland branch of the Eeal Estate Institute. It was considereci that in view of the.greatly incr'eased costs sinc'e 1942 both as regards replacement and mamtenance the time had more than arrived for consideration of advailcing ihe 1942 values to something nearer a fairer and more reason-' able price to the seller, especially when nearly all other wartime restrictions had been lifted and land saies courts had been abolished altogether in Australia. It was decided to forward a remit on the s&bject to the annual conference of the Institute to be held in Invercargill this month which will be attended by delegates from all the Dominion branehes. Members expressed the opinion that land saies courts as at present constituted were not democratic in composition in that the vendor was denied the riglit as previously prevailed in arbi» tration courts to appoint an assessor to watch his or her interests during the h earing resulting from a Crown objection or acquisition whereas the present land saies courts consisted entirely of Government appointees. To appeal against a decision meant a long delay and further expehse, it was stated.