STANDING TIMBER VALUATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1927, Page 4

STANDING TIMBER VALUATIONS

The Bahdutha Free Press has the following report of a deputation to the Ministers of Lands last month in respect to the above subject:— The deputation from the Clutha Countv Council, comprised Messrs J. R. Wilson, T. Maginness, G. S. Gould, and D. Watt, who brougt before the Minister of Lands the matter of the valuation of standing timber as it affected the County rating. Air Wilson, who acted as spokesman, said that the County enjoyed a ratine on fallen timbers, hut last A car. through the action of the northern sawmillers they nearly lost R. >he Government had by an Act ona ■ e them to carry on the rating for this vear only. He referred to she "dMoments made by the lion. AH' McLeod in relation to tfic matter, and pom tea out on a, map the area, which affected the Clutha County rating. Ilus area was about 5(K)0 acres ; also State Foiest and Maori land. All this country entailed about 45 miles of loading to open it up, and the County Council thought it was entitled to some lalmg ou it. . c ,1,,. Air AlcLcod said this was one ol the problems that affected different districts in different ways. AWicn the judgment of the Court was given removing certain timbers from Hie nation roll, bo, as an old County Conn cillor, realised that the finance ot certain counties would be.upset Several Counties on the Alain Trunk line, in the North Island, asked that the valuations be re-instated for the curron vear so as to adjust their finances, and iio thought it only fair, but ho was unable to carry the proposal m tno House, and he had to effect a compromise. This was that the system would be continued for this_ year so as to dial’/e local bodies to adjust then finance at the end of the year or again make representations to larliament. A new form of valuation nail come in through the Forestry Department. So many disputes had occurred in the North Island over the valuation of timber, especially on Maori land, that the Lands Department at length said they would hand the matter over to the Forestry Department. This Department valued each tree on a forestry basis, and up the valuations wont, anil complaints then caino from the sawmillers. Standing timber was cut down and destroyed, and the land put into grass, beenuso the rates were too high. Hi some districts the roads were entirely used for the haulage of timber, and the County Councils could protect themselves to some extent over that. In many areas m the North Island the millers use tram lines instead of roads, the millers finding it more profitable not to use the roads. Tho Minister said that there was another tax—the hospital tax—which was a general tax ou tho community, and there was no doubt that in the sawmilling industry where there was a large number ol accidents, the people benefited very consideitibly and were escaping taxation. lie hail suggested amending tho Counties Act so that la royalty of one penny or twopence per hundred might, bo imposed, and this would yield about as much as the counties were getting now.

Air AVilson : You’ve given the mailer a lot of thought. A royalty is the only may to do it it tho old rating valuation is not to stand. Afr McLeod said that lie would probably put in tlie Act a maximum of Lid or 2d per hundred. The taxation wolf'd not be paid until tho timber was actually milled. He supposed that tlu> sawmillers would oppose it, but he did not think that the Forestry League held the same ideas as the sawmillers or linked up with them. He would certainly put somelliiug in the Act. Ifo dill not know at present what it would be, but it would he enough to cause a controversy. Tint would give an opportunity for hearing all sides.

Air Wilson : I congratulate you on your reply. You showed your grasp of it when you mentioned the hospital rate.