LAND VALUATION COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2316, 25 November 1914, Page 7

LAND VALUATION COMMISSION

THE FIRST SITTING

ORDER OF REFERENCE

The Royal Commission set up to inquire into matters relating to the valuation of land in New Zealand held its st siting in Wellington yesterday morning, when only formal business was transacted. The Commission consists of Mr. T. F. Martin, of Wellington, barrister (chairman); Mr. E. A. Camp- °* Wanganui, farmer; and Mr. J. r,\ Rutherford, of Auckland, fanner. ~'i Mackie, of the Valuation Department, is secretary. < Jlie order of reference is as under: — (a) To inquire into the petition of certain ratepayers in the borough of Otanuhu that the values assigned to their properties at the revaluation, made as March 31, 1914, were over-assessed, J" e Port as to whether or not the B ®'d values were affixed in accordance W l ji definitions of "unimproved value and "value of improvements" w the Valuation of Land Amendment Act, 1912.

(b) To inquire into the petition of certain ratepayers of South Riding of Castlepoint County that readjustments oi values of lands in Castlepoint- County be made in consequence of alleged disparities between the aggregate increase in value of land in South Riding and tlie aggregate increase in the value of land in the remainder of Castlepoint County, and to report as to whether or not the values assigned to the 6aid lands are relatively uniform and in accordance with the definitions of "unimproved value" and "value of improvements" in the Valuation of Land Amendment Act, 1912. . (?) To inquire into such oases of alleged excessive values as may be brought .under .the notice of the Commission, and to. , report as to whether these values were assigned in accordance with the definitions of '"unimproved value" and "value of improvements" in tho Valuation Land Amendment Act, 1912. , (d) To consider whether, in view of the scope and objects and the practical 7ono S °f.tha Valuation of Land Act, 1908, and its amendments, the''Assessment Court provided for in the saidAct is so constituted as to ensure equitable consideration of objections heard and determined by • the Court, and to recommend, if considered neces«"7 ,°r expedient, an alternative which will improve the composition of tho Court while at the same time preserving its judicial character.

(g) To consider and to report as to whether Section 31 of'the Valuation of Land Aot, 1908, affords an owner who is not satisfied with .the value" of his land as fixed by the Assessment Court an equitable alternative. (f) To consider and report upon the methods of the Valuation- Department in making valuations, and generally to inquire into aid report upon suoh other matters arising thereout as may come under your notice in the course of your inquiries and whioh you consider should be investigated in connection therewith. The results of the Commission's investigations are to be ill the hands of His Excellency the Governor by December 21.

The Commission will sit again this morning at 10 o'clock 'in Committee Boom. L, Old Parliamentary Buildings, for the purpose of hearing evidence relating to Wellington valuations.