THE ASSESSMENT COURT.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 84, 2 March 1877, Page 2

THE ASSESSMENT COURT.

' [TO THB EDITOR IN^CUHTTA TIJIBS.] ■ Sib,— Kindly permit the insertion of the following remarks in your columns. In common with other ratepayers in the County I availed myself of tbe above Coart to obtain, if possible, a readjust* ment of the valuation of a section held by me in Broadway, being tbe same as previous assessment by the Local Revenue* Board, which was equitably adjusted on - that occasion by the gentleman who now* .fills tbe responsible position of sole arbi* tor of tbe said Court. Referring to thecircumstance; be stated that be f v not to be governed by -any previous valuation,, and }d this instance considered it a fair assessment, notwithstanding the fact of his having in several preceding capes been so governed, nnd having accepted theLocal Revenos Board rate roll as a fair bisis of va'uation. This brings me to the pertinent questions— Why did he make invidious distinctions in his administra-v tion P Why did be set bis judgment in opposition to tbe combined intelligence of the six gentlemen constituting the Boadj Board, by reducing some valuations con* , siderably below tbeir estimate, and what he admitted in other eases was fair and equitable ? These are questions that require answering. Again in tbe matter of similar objections by Mr 4* F. Johnson of tbe Hikamatu, the Judge informed the objector that in his opinion the valuation was not out of the way, in fact he consideivd it undervalued, and assured bin that had be been the valuer he, should most certainly have made it much higher* but under t c circumstances (whet the circumstances were I know not) he woold^ reduce tbe amount of his valuation by, £20 10s. Now, sir, is it possible that any other, man occupying such a position could stubtify himself in a greater degree*' I say advisedly, that it is simply repugnant feh common sense of the most verdant order. However, there is no appeal from soeh decisions, and people must, of necessity, submit. In the meantime, it should be understood by public servants that people in this nineteenth century pay them to administer justice with an even and in* partial band ; and Mr Shaw being one of those who sit in high places, must reeol» . leet that he is a paid servant of the people, and as snob he should make it hit study, as far as his frail humanity wilt admit, to deal impartially wi^th all matters he is called upon as the representative of Justice to adjudicate on, I am, sir, Hs9bt Gso. Humtn. Reefton, March I, 1877.