ASSESSMENT COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 265, 3 August 1920, Page 6

ASSESSMENT COURT

VALUE OP DATS DAY RESERVE. A sitting of tho Assessment Court was held yeiterday morning. Mr. W. G. Kiddell, S.M., presided, and associated with him, werei-Messrs H, E. beighton and Thoinaß Dwan, as assessors. Mr. H. E. Evans appeared for the Coiyer Estate, and asked that the valuation or two acres in Wollin«ton South, assessed at £1250, be reduced to £1000 each. Ho Intimated that if the valuations were bustnlned the owners would proceed under section 31, and aslc that the properties lie taken over as there provided, 'j'he valuations were sustained.

Government Valuer (Mr. P. If. Martin) assessed the value of two acres on the foreshore of tho Day's Bay ReEerve at £650. and the Day's Hay Reserve (comprising 16J acres) at £15,060 capital value, £11,450 unimproved value and £3610 value of improvements. Mr. J, O'fihea (cltv solicitor) appeared for the City Corporation, and objected to the valuation. Mr. O'Shea pointed out that tho two acres of tho foreshore were part of the pleasureground fixed by statute and the city "Ot no revenue from it. Tho value of tlio Improvements was fixed at £450. This represented a few which were more or loss movable, and out of which the city received no revenue. He contended that the value waß nil. With respect to the reserve, he stated that tho city obtained a rental for the kiosk, anc taking that aa the basis he placed the oapital value at £2500. but seeing: that it was used auilllury to the recreation ground ho contended that the value should bo.nil. The corporation had spent nearly £6000 during tho past live vears on the reserve. The corporation could not, under tho Act, make any money 'on the reserve. The best way lo describe Day's Bay was as "a financial white clephunt." Tlie city was making a loss of £800 a year on the reserve. In answer to Mr. Itlddell, the valuer said that lie had fixed tho capital value without taking into consideration tho reservations In the Act.

Mr. O'Shea quoted the case of the jlutt Park, which was decidud bv tho Pull Court.

Mr. Riddell said lie was satisfied that tlio valuos must be reduced.

The valuer agreed with that view, and Mr. Hlddell sulfated that the pnrtics should confer and co.nje to an agreement. Thia corurso was a?recd' 10, and the matter was uecordlnaly a'iljourned to Aueust 9.