THE ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2144, 8 January 1881, Page 3

THE ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY.

[By Tblksbaph.] [PBOH THE OWN OOBBESPOHDBNT OF THE ft pgggg # ~J WELLINGTON, January 7. In reference to the strong irritation existing owing to the increase of assessment by the Property Tax Commissioner, the following explanation is given by the ‘'Post” on authority :—lt is held that, while the intention of the Legislature was clearly that every man should bo the assessor of his own personal property, the value of hia real property should be assessed by the Government assessor as well. The Act directs that assessments ■hall be made, and empowers Governors to appoint assessors, and authorises assessors to enter on real property for the purpose of assessing it. It is held that these powers are ample for all purposes of the Act, and that the " statements andlists,” from which (under clause 41) the Commissioner is to prepare the assessment rolls, include the statements and lists of real property valuations sent in by the assessors as well as those of both real and personal property required to bo furnished by the owner. Although the Act docs not explicitly direct either that the assessors shall assess property and send in their valuations to the Commissioner, or authorise the latter to use such valuation in preparing his assessment rolls, it is considered that the intention of the Act can be gathered with sufficient clearness as to leave no doubt on the matter, and that both ;tho functions of the assessors and the power to use their valua- j tions in compiling the assessment rolls must 1 be accepted as unobjectionable. The second point to be explained is the manner in which the assessment has been carried out. So far as personal property is concerned, the owner values it himself, and his valuation is the assessment. In regard to real property, however, the owner tends in his statement of valuation,, and the assessor furnishes his valuation. If the latter is higher than the former, then notice is sent to the owner that he has been assessed at that rate, but this does not mean that such value is absolutely and finally placed on the property. If the owner is disinclined to accept the assessor’s valuation, ho has only to notify his objection aud the grounds on which it is based, and if those grounds are fair and reasonable, his objection will in every cose bo entertained, and his valuation accepted. Many such cases have already occurred, in which property owners have proved to the Commissioner that they have been assessed at, an unduly high rate, and in all cases whore that has bean clearly shown the assessment has been modified accordingly. All who arc aggrieved by the assessment have only to state their grievance to the Commissioner, or to the Colonial Treasurer if they choose, and their grievance will receive prompt attention ; also, if well founded, duo redress. Positive instructions have been given to the Commissioner that no well founded objection or fair claim for a reduction is to bo disregarded, and already in many cases the valuation has been blatantly reduced on its being distinctly shewn that the current market value of property was leas than that at which it had been appraised bj the assessor.