THE CITY'S VALUATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 157, 15 October 1912, Page 6

THE CITY'S VALUATION.

NOT YET COMMENCED. "MISUNDERSTANDING WITH THE CITl' COUNCIL." Over two months aijo tho City Council after discussing tho question of revaluing the city, decided that it was advisable that it should bo done this year in order that the rates for next year could lie based on the new valuations. It w;a/i considered ex-

pedient to have a now valuation as soon as possible as the last valuation—made in 19013—was based to n great extent upon tho inflated prices which city properties wero then changing hands at. A valuer must take the purchase' price of properties to somo extent as a guide, when valuing land, and at that tinlo it will bfl remembered very high prices wero being paid not only in Wellington, but at Island Bay, Miramar, and tho Hutt. Sinco then tho property market.has steadied down considerably, and values, have been readjusted by tho slackening in tho demand, yet the "boom" values still appear on the official registers. " A few weeks ago' Dr. Newman, M.P., asked tho Primo Minister if the City of Wellington was to he revalued this year, and a reply was given in the affirmative,

Yesterday, his Worship the Mayor (Mr. D. M'Laren) was approached as to'wire:' tlier a start hnd been made with tin. work of revaluing the city. He stated' that so far as lie knew it had not, though? some of the suburbs were being revalued. As it seemed strange that nothing had yet been done ii the matter with the year; on the' wane, investigation was pushed further..' > . -

The Valuer-General (Mr. Flanagan) Viva asked if any movement had been, made by his Department to have tho city; .to-; valued. Ifis reply was that officers frofii his Department were at present .tngaiged in revaluing the suburbs—from town round to Miramar, but nothing-bid been done with the city proper vet; : ' Why? ' 'y-

Mr. Flanagan said that it was.'owing jxi a misunderstanding with tho . City! Council, which body should suDply' t¥o' valuer. * - - •

Why not for the suburbs, too? ho was asked.

Because—well, that was an' arrangement between tho City Council and the Department.

Tho present position is that no valuation of tho city of Wellington, proper has yet been commenced, and as fftr as anyone, concerned is aware no arrangement has been mado for the work to be done. For years past tho work has been done'bv Mr, James Ames (City Valuer), who also does work of properties for loans) for tho Vhluotion Department. At an annual remuneration asrwd upon, but oiv the present occasion Mr. Ames does not feel inclined to undertake' the work.' On being pressed for a reason Mr. Ames declined to say anything about the matter for publication.