ASSESSMENT COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2160, 8 April 1908, Page 1

ASSESSMENT COURT.

BENCH AND OBJECTOR AT VARIANCE. 1 ‘ONL V WHAT I EX PJfiCTED, ’ ’ dAYS MR SIMSON. • •Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., presided over the annual, sitting of the Assessment Court for tho Borough of Gisborno yesterday. Mr J. B. Ley-don (Mr Blair) objected to the valuation of his property which had been raised from £6O to £B6 on the ground that itho increase was excessive. The objector said his property was in Bright street. Ho -had been rated at an annual rental value of £B6. In 1905 the property was rated on u valuation of £SO. During that year he built a shed on the property at a cost of £75. In tho lolowing year the valuation was raised to £OO. Last year lie further improved the shed n’t a cost of £7O, and was immediately notified that the valuation had been raised from £6O to £BO. lie did not l-liink the;- -property had sufficiently 'increased in value to justify the valuation. Ho valued his land at about £7OO. The Town Clerk (Mr R. Robinson) said he considered the present value of the property justified the assessment. Property adjoining the objectors were rated on similar valuations and no complaints were made. A quarter-acre section opposite Mr Loydon’s nronerty had been sold for £ISOO, and iii his opinion the property in question was worth £I7OO. He valued the land on recent -sales. The buildings would be worth about £l5O.

To Mr Blair: The additional buildings were partly responsible for tlie increase.

The reason for the, increase of £26 this year was because the valuation had been too light in the past. Mr Blair handed in a copy of the value arrived at by the Valuation Department, which was £350. The Magistrate said tho objector had brought no outside evidence to support his objection; but .lie would make a reduction of £O, and reduce the valuation to £BO. Mr lan Simson objected to the annual rental valuation of £7O placed upon his property at Tho Point, Whutaupoko. Before- he purchased the property it was let to a tenant at £6O and in hie experience as a valuer it was not worth more as it had not been improved in any way. He did not believe ill sentimental values being put upon property for the sake of obtaining high prices. To Mr Barton: He was certain tho property would not bring more than’ £l*2oo in the open market. He did not think the property would let for more than £6O a year. Near the property was a private -road, feet deep in mud, which tho Council refused to take over, although tho valuer increased tho rates without providing any convenience. Mr Robinson: How much have you spent on tho breastwork sinceyou have been there? Mr Simson: That is my business. His AVorsliip: Don’t speak like that; you must answer the question. Mr Simson: I won’t answer a question on my orivato affairs for you or any one else. The improvements arc my business. ■Hi» Worship : And mine, too. Answer Die question. •Mr Simson : I have decided not to do so. - His Worship: Very well, I won’t force you. That will do. - The valuation is sustained. Mr Simson: It is only what I expected. His AVorsliip: You must behave yourself in thi-s Court, Mr Simson. Air Simson: This is an Assessment Court, and I can express my opinion. No one can say I am not beliiving myself, and you have no power to do" anything. Mr Simson then left; and the next case was- called.

The valuation of Air J. F. Hendskie's nronerty was reduced from £34 to £3O. the Town Clerk offering no resistance.

Margaret Fraser objected to tlic annual valuation of £4O put upon her property in iStout street. The value" had been raised from £36 to £4O without any improvements having been made, while she considered her house was depreciating in value. Tho Town Clerk offered no objection to a reduction to £36 and that amount was agreed to. Two objectors failed t#» appear and the cises were struck out.