UNIMPROVED VALUES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 515, 6 November 1912, Page 5

UNIMPROVED VALUES.

The Editor. Sir,- -Te Kuiti ratepayers may rest assured, I think, that there is no provision in New Zealand for a local body to levy a rate upon the worth of the interest of a lessee in the unimproved value of land. Should the principle of rating on the unimproved value be adopted here, the levy which the tenant will pay will be calculated upon the combined interests of the owner and the leasee in the unimproved value. In other words, upon the selling value of the unimproved land, simply as provided in the well-known Act uf 1896. Of my own personal knowledge, I am aware there is a good deal of misunderstanding on the part of some local ratepayers as to the precise meaning of the term "unimproved value," as I have spoken to several who had an idea that the words meant the value of land comprised in their sections supposing all the surrounding land in the locality at the present time to be quite in an unimproved state. The term really means the fair selling value of land in any particular allotment, supposing it to be devoid of all improvements, and assuming the surrounding land to retain its improvements. Broadly expressed, the present fair selling value of a piece of land, after deducting the present worth (not cost) of existing improvements, represents the present ''unimproved value." In view of words recently uttered bv a prominent member of the Te Kuiti Borough Council, it may be here pointed out that local bodies have not authority to alter (either by raising or lowering) the unimproved values as assessed on the roll. Such power is held solely by the general Government. May the fact that just at the present time these matters are of public importance be a plea for trespassing upon your valuable space. —'I am, etc. NEW ZEALANDER. Te Kuiti, November 4th, 3 912. The Editor. gi r> —Can you find room for a few word about the Evangelistic Mission, now being conducted in the Municipal Chambers by the "Scottish Evangelist?" There are evangelists, socalled, that I would not care to hear a second time; but Mr Robertson doeß not belong to that class. He sings we ll —"with the spirit and with the understanding also" —and he delivers his message in a forceful and faithful manner; therefore I, for one, wish him God-speed;- and 1 hope that many young people of this town will avail themselves of the privilege of hearing him. —I am, etc., COSMOPOLITAN.