URBAN LANDS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 119, 16 November 1932, Page 15

URBAN LANDS

METHODS OF RATING

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO BILL

BELIEF FOR FARMERS

The Urban Farm-land Eating Bill, introduced into the House of Representatives yesterday by GovernorGeneral's Message, differs considerably from the measure which was introduced in 1929 Imt not proceeded with. The provisions of the original Bill in reference to the classification' of land have been deleted. ,

The now Bill provides that the occupier of any piece of urban farmland containing 'net less than three acres, which is liable to be rated separately by the council, may apply to the council for the preparation of a farm-land list for the borough. On the' receipt of an application the council is to prepare a farm-land list, which is to contain particulars of (a) all pieces of urban farm-land containing not less than three acres -which, are liable to be rated separately by the council and (b) all pieces of urban farm-laud containing less than three' acres which are' liable to be rated separately by the council and which are included in the farm-land roll (if any) for the time being in force in the borough or (if there is no such roll in force) in respect of which an entry of a special rateable valuo made in the valuation roll is for the time- being in force; Particulars in the farm-land list, other than the special rateable value, are to be taken from .the valuation roll. - POINTS TO CONSIDER. It will be for the council to decide whether or not the rateable value of properties" included in the farm-land list should be reduced, after taking into consideration the following specific matters:—(a) Whether the rates payj able by the occupier are excessive or I unduly burdensome; (b) the municipal services available to the property; (c) the incidence of special and separate rates in the borough, and of rates Jevied |by or on behalf of rating authorities other than the council; (d) whether any reduction, would be likely to impose an undue burden of rates on the other ratepayers-of the borough or any of them; and (c) any alteration of the rateable value since the valuation roll came into force.

.The amount of the rateable value of a property decided on by the council is to be entered in the farm-land list as tlie special rateable value of tin; property. The list is to be, open, to the inspection of ratepayers, and those ratepayers whose properties are included are to be "notified of the particulars of their property. The list- is to remain open at the office of the council for a period of twenty-one (lays in order to give affected persons an ! opportunity of entering objections. ! ASSESSMENT COURTS. j Tho Bill proposes to set up Assessi ment Courts in each borough for the i purpose of hearing' and determining I objections. The Magistrate exercising | jurisdiction in the borough is to be the i Judge of the Court, and there arc to be i two assessors, one appointed, on the | recommendation of the- council and the I other on tho recommendation of the I Minister of Internal Affairs. Not less [than ten days 3 notice is.to bo given of a sitting of the Court. The Court is to have power to summon witnesses and examine them on oath and to fix costs. -...A?.*.01" hearing objections the Court may alter the fafm-laiid list, wliichwfll then become the farm-land roll for the district. Tho roll is to become part of the valuation roll for rating purposes.1 If, while a farm-land roll is in force, a new valuation, roll is made for the borough or the system of rating1 in the borough is altered, a new farm-land roll is to be made for the borough. SMALL-HOLDERS. ! Occupiers of any piece of urban farm-land containing less than three acres which isHable to be rated separately by a council are to have the right to apply to the council for. a .reduction in the rateable value of suchland. It will then be for the council to decide whether or not tho rateable value of the land should be reduced. Notice of the council's decision is: to Ibe given,: to. theappUeant and to every | other ■person- having au interest in the property, aiid those . affected are to have the right to object within twenty-one days. Objections, are- to .be heard by a Magistrate, who is to have all the powers of the Assessment Court; Particulars of the amended rateable; value are to be entered on the roll. ;

Power is given to the council to increase the special rateable value of properties .on the roll, but not to' an amount greater than the ordinary rateable value, and those affected are to have the same rights of objection as • outlined above. - • .

The decision of the Assessment Court or the Magistrate in all cases is to be final.

With certain modifications, tho Act is to apply to town districts not forming part of any county and to road districts situated in the Eden County.