Hutt County Values

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 238, 5 July 1944, Page 4

Hutt County Values

Sir, —From the published reports of the last meeting of the Hutt County, Council it is apparent that the whips are out and fanner members at the behest of their supporters are looking for a way out of the position, even to calling on’stabilization funds, into which they allowed themselves to drift through not putting up an active publicity resistance —in one case possibly for fear of losing votes —against a rating system, the implications and disadvantages of which, to the farmer were stressed at pre-election meetings in the Whareroa Riding, and duly reported in ‘‘The Dominion” and other newspapers. Additionally, some three months prior to the election, schedules showing adverse rating variations to farmers under the proposed unimproved rating system were circulated to various farmer's in the district, the position being further stressed iu the “pre-election brochure —nine years’ progress in the Whareroa Riding.” iu the following words: “ . . . . Briefly rates on empty and farm lands will increase .... some greatly increased rates must fall on farm lands, and as no matter what avenue of endeavour we follow we are all dependent upon the prosperity of the land, it is hoped that, ratepayers will not cast their votes without considering the, effect the change will have on the farm lands.” As the farmers took no heed ot this warning they have only themselves to blame for- the prospective increase in their rates. ' Of course, there are farm lands and farm lands. Some will always be farm lands, and the rest are either now in course of subdivision, or have an early prospective subdivision value, and in any division of the riding designed to ease the rating on farm lands care must be taken to see that this latter class should be in one group. Generally all areas on the west side of the main highway can be classed as prospective, settlement lands. However, before any division takes place it should be amply demonstrated that the truly farm lands will benefit, else there is no object in a partition. Some farm lands have for many years cost more for maintenance of their roads than has been collected in rates from the area, so that owners of farm lands may even nt this late stage be brought to a realization of the advantages of remaining attached to the prosperous and expanding beach areas. , zV comparison of the capital value and value of the Whareroa Ruling is interesting. The unimproved values are shown in parentheses (values are approximate only) :— Value of lands on west or sea side of the main highway, including Packakariki, £686,000 (£211,000) ; value east of highway, including Purapnrauinu village. £232,000 (£110.000); total value of whole riding, £918,000 (£321,000). From tlie above figures it will l>e seen that whereas previously the areas west of the highway provided nearly 75 per cent, of the rates, this area will now contribute approximately 65 per cent., so that taking it full and bye, the farmers’ squeal is more characteristic than substantial. —I am, etc. —FRANK W. VICKERMAN. Wellington. June 30.